After stepping out of the San Antonio Church (Nercon) in Castro and making my way to the main road, I spotted a bus heading towards Chonchi. With a wave, I flagged it down and hopped aboard. The one-way fare from Castro to Chonchi is 1500 pesos.
Chonchi, the second largest town in the central part of Chiloé Island, Chile, lies about 23 kilometers south of the capital, Castro. This charming town offers a tranquil and picturesque setting, providing a perfect escape from the bustling city life.
The wooden church in Chonchi, known as Iglesia de Chonchi (Figures 16, 17), is one of the 16 World Heritage churches on Chiloé Island. It beautifully blends European Gothic style with local traditional craftsmanship. The exterior showcases the natural wood grain, while the interior is crafted primarily from wood, merging practicality and artistic beauty.
The church’s facade is adorned with vibrant colors, typically yellow and blue, and its roof features a distinctive double-tower structure, with crosses perched atop the towers. This architectural gem is a quintessential example of Chiloé’s unique “mixed culture.”
As I wandered through the town, I stumbled upon a quaint shop run by a young couple from Zhejiang. Engaging in a delightful conversation with the shop owner, she warmly invited me to join her family for lunch, which made me feel incredibly welcome. Their energetic and adorable son, who is in the first grade, showed a keen interest in learning both English and Spanish, already demonstrating a bright future ahead. I left with warm wishes for their continued happiness and success.
