Churches of Chiloé In Chile

Churches of Chiloé - Chile

The churches of Chiloé forms a unique example in Latin America an excellent form of ecclesiastical wooden architecture. They represent a tradition started by the Jesuit Itinerant Mission in the 17th and 18th century, continued and enriched by the Franciscans in the 19th century and is still prevailing today. These churches represent the intangible wealth of the Chiloé Archipelago, witnesses of a successful mix of indigenous and European culture, the full integration of the architecture in the landscape and the environment, as well as on the spiritual values of the communities.

Justification for Inscription

The churches of Chiloé are excellent examples of successful mix of European and indigenous cultural traditions to a unique form of wooden architecture. The mestizo pop would be defined as pop culture as a result of Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th century has survived intact in the Chiloé Archipelago, and reached its highest expression in the excellent wooden churches.

Description

The churches of Chiloé are excellent examples of successful mix of European and indigenous cultural traditions to a unique form of wooden architecture. The mestizo pop would be defined as pop. Culture as a result of Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th century has survived intact in the Chiloé Archipelago, and reached its highest expression in the excellent wooden churches. In the 16th century the inhabitants of the Chiloé Archipelago, which extends from the Chacao channel to the Corcovado Gulf, followed a sedentary way of life, on the basis of a mixed agriculture and fisheries economy. Spanish navigators discovered the archipelago by half of the 16th century, but colonisation only started 1567 with Martin Ruiz de Gamboa founded the cities of Santiago Castro and Chacao on Isla Grande de Chiloé.

Following an exploratory visit in 1608, the Association of Jesus began sends its members to initiate the process of evangelization that was to shape the cultural characteristics of the archipelago. At first these missions are not permanently occupied, but in the course of time the Jesuits began building chapels and shelter for their members, compiled by the local community with local materials and techniques. It seemed, chosen from the most prominent families, to serve as de fiscales progresistas, the care of the church and the cemetery and minister the spiritual needs of the community. This was in the Jesuit tradition, which encouraged active development of their social and religious life of indigenous communities. At the end of the 19th century more than 100 churches were built; between 50 and 60 are able to survive in the current day. And 14 of these are the World Heritage site: Achao (Quinchao); Quinchao; Castro; Rilán (Castro); Nercón (Castro); Aldachildo (Puqueldón); Ichuac (Puqueldón); Detif (Puqueldón); Vilipulli (Chonchi); Chonchi; Tenaún (Quemchi); Colo (Quemchi); San Juan (Dalcahue); and Dalcahue.

The traditional Chiloé churches are located in the vicinity of the coast, with a view of the esplanade, which in some cases has been developed into a real plaza (Achao, Dalcahue), but elsewhere is not more than an open space bordered by a fence or trees (Quinchao). The size is determined by the importance of the religious festivals that take place. The churches consists of a large quantity of with a sloping roof. The most typical feature of these buildings is the tower facade, on the side of the esplanade, which consists of an entrance portico, the sloped wall or pediment, and the tower itself. This was the focus of urban development in these communities.

The portico is a feature of the earlier churches, but there is built in the 20th century. The tower is the dominant vertical function, both as a religious element in support of the cross and also as a beacon for sailors. Most are of two or three levels, with hexagonal or octagonal drums windguard limited resistance. Only at Tenaún there are smaller flanking towers. The horizontal part of the church, but depth is favored over width. They correspond to an earth basilican plan with three aisles, only the central part of the gate. The aisles are separated by solid wooden columns on stone blocks; this aid a huge radius which forms the ridge. In most cases the main nave is barrel-vaulted, the accompanying aisles with flat roofs. Achao with its segmented ceiling and Rilán with fan vaults are rare exceptions. The latter is clearly influenced by Gothic architecture and components of other major architectural styles can be recognized - classicism in Chonchi, Renaissance and Baroque of Achao Nercón on. Everywhere there is abundant evidence of the Chilota control of woodworking. The characteristic shape and materials of the churches show virtually no difference more than four centuries. The decoration of the churches is plentiful and varied. All churches are skillfully adapted to their physical environment. They are built on slopes to prevent floods in heavy rainfall, and the ground. The north sides are protected against storm, which usually come from this direction. They are fully closed structures, such as protection against wind and rain, which can be heavy in this region.

Historical Data

In the 16th century the inhabitants of the Chiloé Archipelago followed a sedentary way of life, on the basis of a mixed agriculture and fisheries economy. Spanish navigators discovered the Archipelago by half of the 16th century, but colonisation only started 1567 with Martin Ruiz de Gamboa founded the cities of Santiago Castro and Chacao on Isla Grande Chiloé. The Spaniards were impressed by the mild, open nature of the local population. The universal feature system was applied, with the indigenous people paid tribute to the Spanish crown by the settlers in exchange for food and provide religious instruction. There are occasional indigenous stands, of which the most serious occurred in 1712, caused by the harsh treatment of the indigenous population by the encomenderos time, accused the Jesuits have inspired the uprising, which was brutally repressed.

Missionaries had arrived with the first settlers from the orders of St Francis and Our Lady of Mercy. After an exploratory visit in 1608, the Association of Jesus began sends its members to initiate the process of evangelization that was to shape the cultural characteristics of the archipelago, and this results in the construction of the churches, which figure in the current appointment.

The Jesuit strategy was encapsulated in the ambulatory Mission. Annual tours were by Jesuits setting from their College in Castro during the temperate months. They spent a few days at each of their missions according to a planned schedule; the missions was close to the shore, so that these trips are made by boat. While we have now would attend to the spiritual and material needs of the communities. At first these missions are not permanently occupied, but in the course of time the Jesuits began building chapels and shelter for their members, compiled by the local community with local materials and techniques. It seemed, chosen from the most prominent families, to serve as de fiscales progresistas, the care of the church and the cemetery and minister the spiritual needs of the community. This was in the Jesuit tradition, which encouraged active development of their own social and religious life of indigenous communities. At the end of the 19th century had built more than a hundred churches, between fifty and sixty survive to this day.

Pirate raids were a feature of the 17th century, and the Spaniards live in the cities started to release in favor of increased safety on the countryside. They took over the lands of the indigenous population, the growing racial and cultural assimilation between the two groups. The most Chilota group in the Archipelago is the result of this process of crossing (mestizaje).  Christianity was embraced by the inhabitants while the Spaniards who the local language, Veliche (now extinct), for communication. The Spaniards also took the way of life of the local population, the fisheries and agriculture and the use of their technologies.

When the Jesuits were expelled in 1767 their work was continued by the Franciscans, who appreciate the value of the Jesuits' work and remain active. They used the Itinerant Mission as the basis for the creation of nine centers, each with its own work. This would be the current parish system, created in 1840. Despite the efforts of the Spanish colonial power, the cities were not more than administrative centers and by the time colonial domination came to an end there were not more than five cities (villas) on Chiloé. The strategic importance of the archipelago was recognized, and therefore was dependent on the captaincy General of Lima and not so much that of Chile. The military garrison was stationed in the fort of San Carlos de Ancud, founded in 1768.

The Chilota population was very loyal to the Spanish Crown. When the fight for Chilean independence began in 1810, Chiloé was the seat of the Spanish operation to restore Chile and Peru. Although this failed, Chiloé remained a Spanish enclave after Chile finally won its independence in 1818; it remained the last gaining a toehold of Spanish domination in South America until he was included in the new Republic eight years later.

Chiloé enjoyed a period of prosperity in the 19th century. The ports were visited by ships to the south and are wooden was a major export. This came to an end at the end of the century, as a result of the opening of the Panama Canal, and the excessive exploitation of the islands' cypress and larch trees. In the first half of the 20th century the economy also with serious problems in the agriculture and livestock farming. As a result, there was a large emigration Chilota south, to Patagonia and the Magallanes Straits. At the moment the economy of the archipelago has been developed on the basis of the controlled industrial exploitation of natural resources (wood and fish) and agriculture and fishing.

Source:whc/unesco