Today’s itinerary is to tour Chiloe Island, the largest island in Chile. In fact, the Chacao Channel that separates the island from the mainland is only about 40 kilometers wide. The cruise ship docks at Castro, the capital of Chiloe, which is the third oldest city in Chile and was almost chosen as the capital. It is famous for its colorful stilt houses over water, which tell the story of how the locals used their wisdom and enthusiasm to give the island a unique charm.
The main purpose of this trip is to visit the wooden churches that have made Chiloe a UNESCO World Heritage site. On this mysterious island, there are more than 70 colorful wooden churches, 16 of which have been designated as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. The churches originated in the 17th and 18th centuries and were a byproduct of the Franciscan missionaries’ walking tours in the 19th century.
The blending of European Christian culture and the indigenous culture of the Chiloe Islands resulted in the churches becoming a model of successful cultural integration, perfectly harmonizing with the surrounding scenery and natural environment.
[Red Book R] Curaco de Velez Town
Leaving the dock, we pass through picturesque seaside fishing villages and take a ferry across the sea, first arriving at the town of Curaco de Velez, where we visit the San Judas Tadeo Church, which has a green facade. The entire church is made of wood, small but very exquisite. It is said that the extensive use of wood is a tradition on Chiloe Island, so the grand stone churches of Europe became wooden churches here, adapted to local conditions.
[Red Book R] Achao Town
Then we drive to the town of Achao, where we find the earliest built wooden church, Santa Maria de Loreto, constructed in 1730. After hundreds of years of weathering, it still stands. The interior of the church is magnificent. It is said that the church uses very few nails, instead employing a wooden structure similar to the mortise and tenon joints used in China.
Afterward, we have lunch at a family restaurant by the sea, enjoy local singing and dancing, and taste a local dish called Pulmay, which is made by cooking shellfish, potatoes, chicken, salted meat, and sausages in the same pot. The taste is quite ordinary. After the meal, we head to the local handicraft market, where there is a wide variety of textiles, from typical Chilote hats, gloves, and socks to woolen ponchos that highlight the local characteristics.
Picking one or two items makes for a great souvenir.
[Red Book R] Dalcahue Town
Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores is also one of the largest and oldest churches on Chiloe. The existing building was started in 1893, but records show that it can be traced back to 1858. Entering this neoclassical style church, the light blue roof instantly brings a sense of peace. The patterns on the surface of the wooden pillars look like marble from a distance.
[Red Book R] Castro City
The San Francisco Cathedral, towering in the central square, is a dazzling spectacle of vibrant colors, reminiscent of a church straight out of a fairy tale. As you stand in the hall and gaze upward, you can’t help but be awestruck by the exceptional craftsmanship of the Italian designer and the local carpenters, whose skills have brought this architectural masterpiece to life.
