Go Patagonic

Enjoy Patagonic Life | Travel to Patagonia

All the articles about Chiloe Island

Travel to Chiloe, the essential guide

Things to do in Chiloe Island, top 5 must-see

Visit the penguin colony of Puñihuil, a natural monument

Visit Dalcahue’s kitchens, and discover flavors!

Visiting the palafitos of Castro, full color

Chiloé’s churches route, history and heritage

Visit Chiloé National Park and Muelle de las Almas (Souls’ Pier)

Chiloe in 3 days – suggested itinerary

Chiloé’s churches route, history and heritage

In this article, we will take you to Chiloé’s churches route and show you where the most important of them are located. Don’t miss it!

🔎 Check here the quide to travel to Chiloe island.

One of the main attractions to see in Chiloé are its wooden churches, 16 of which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, although there are more than 60 scattered around the island. The following is a proposal of Chiloé’s churches route tour.

History and construction of the churches of Chiloé

The churches date back to the 19th century and were all built with wood from the native forests of the area, such as cypress, cinnamon, hazel, coigüe and larch shingles. Its exterior structure is striking, with large arches and large windows and, for the most part, the exterior walls are painted in bright colors. Inside, they keep precious details.

🔎 Check here the top 5 things to do in Chiloé Island.

Tour of the Chiloé’s churches route (map)

Alternatives for touring the Chiloé’s churches route

Most of the churches, at least the 16 that are World Heritage Sites, are located in the central area of the east coast of Chiloé and on some small islands accessible by ferry. The city of Castro is the ideal place to tour the route of the churches of Chiloé due to its proximity.

Here are the different routes to get to know the churches of Chiloé. Keep in mind that you should dedicate one day to each of the circuits if you go by car or rental car.

1- North Route Isla Grande

Within the Chiloé’s churches route, these wooden buildings are located inside the big island of Chiloé, north of the city of Castro. The churches are:

  • San Antonio de Colo in Quemchi: it is located in the upper part of the town, it lacks restoration.
  • Nuestra Señora de los Dolores in Dalcahue: it is one of the most visited on the route because tourists visit the town of Dalcahue to eat in the kitchens. It is located in the Plaza de Armas.
  • Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio in Tenaún: a must visit, with its two stars painted on the front and a bluish color.
  • San Juan Bautista in San Juan: on the outside it does not have bright colors, but inside it is a beauty.
  • Santa María in Rilán: another one of the recommended to visit, elegant both outside and inside.

📷 Some of these churches can be seen within the Dalcahue coastal villages tour from Castro. Take a look and make your reservation.

2- South Route Isla Grande

Within the Chiloé’s churches route, these wooden buildings are located inside the big island of Chiloé, in the city of Castro and south of it. The churches are:

  • San Francisco in Castro: one of the most visited churches in Chiloé. Located in the Plaza de Armas, its yellowish tonality on the outside already calls the attention. Inside it leaves you speechless.
  • Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón in Castro: located only 4 kilometers from Castro.
  • San Antonio in Vilupulli: located 6 kilometers north of Chonchi, it is located in the upper part of the town.
  • San Carlos de Borromeo in Chonchi: another of the churches most frequented by tourists. Located in the Plaza de Armas of Chonchi, it stands out for the yellow color of the tower and the light blue tone of the front.
Chiloé's churches route

Chiloe’s churches route located in the archipelagos

These churches are located on the islands of Quinchao, Lemuy, Chelín and Caguach, close to Chiloé, so you have to take a ferry to get there.

3- Route through the Quinchao Archipelago

If you visit the island of Quinchao, the third largest of the Chiloé archipelago, the ferry is taken from Dalcahue. It is about 5 minutes of navigation, and then continue by car around the island. On this island you will find the following churches:

  • Santa María de Loreto in Achao: it is one of the oldest churches in Chile.
  • Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Villa Quinchao: only 10 kilometers from the previous one.

📷 Check out this tour around Dalcahue and Quinchao Island with a local agency and make your reservation.

Chiloé's churches route

4- Route through the Lemuy Archipelago

If you visit the island of Lemuy, the ferry is taken from near Chonchi. It is about 5 minutes of navigation, and then continue by car around the island. On this island you will find the following churches:

  • Jesús de Nazareno de Aldachildo: highlights its large vault painted in blue that has small stars.
  • Natividad de María de Ichuac: on the outside it is very similar to the previous one. It suffered the earthquake of the year 1960 that collapsed some of the towers, although at the moment it is maintained in good state of conservation.
  • Santiago de Apóstol in Detif: it is one of the simplest of the island, although the environment where it is located is charming.

📷 Check out this excursion to Chonchi and Lemuy Island from Castro with a local agency and make your reservation.

In addition, there are two other World Heritage churches that are located outside of these two large islands. They are:

  • Jesus Nazareno on Caguach Island.
  • Nuestra Señora del Rosario on Chelín Island.

Pin it!

Chiloé's churches route