IGLESIA SAN FRANCISCO DE CASTRO

Designed according to the plans of the Italian architect Eduardo Provasoli, this Catholic church was first built by the Jesuits in 1711. Then, due to numerous fires, weather vagaries and other earthquakes, it was rebuilt several times. Its current structure dates back to 1910 and it is now a World Heritage Site. It was made with local essences and according to the tradition of the Chilean school inherited from the Jesuit missionaries. Entirely made of wood, without any nails or other iron elements, it has an impressive carpentry and cabinetwork (52 m long and 27 m wide). In the past, it used to have mauve and light brown colours (which was a bit surprising) and since 2012, it has been given a new look and is now sporting bright colours: yellow and pink! Inside, on the left, a superb wooden sculpture represents the justice that overcomes the Archangel of Evil wielding his redemptive sword. The church houses many sculptures of saints such as Saint Anthony of Padua, protector of the poor, or Chilean saints such as Alberto Hurtado Cauchaga or Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus of the Andes, the first Chilean saint, who died at the age of 20. Above all, we can admire a magnificent altarpiece depicting a Christ dressed in a long red and white toga. The imprint of the Spanish kingdom is measured by the number of red and white lilies that adorn it.