Churches of Chiloé, Wooden religious structures in Chiloé Province, Chile.

The Churches of Chiloé are sixteen wooden buildings spread across the archipelago, each constructed entirely from timber. Their walls and roofs are covered with wooden shingles that protect the structures from the salty, wet climate.

From the 17th century, Spanish Jesuits ran a circular mission, and in the 18th century friars from Bavaria, Hungary and Transylvania promoted churches more durable than their predecessors. After the Jesuits' expulsion in 1767 the Franciscans took over the mission, while local carpenters kept building in the same models.

These churches show how Spanish traditions and local craftsmanship came together to create something entirely new. You can see both European church elements and techniques rooted in the island's boat-building heritage when you walk inside.

These churches can be visited throughout the year and are spread across multiple islands, so plan time for exploration. Sturdy footwear and flexibility with weather help, since the landscape is open and windswept.

The churches are held together mainly by wooden joints and pegs, but the sources record that nails were used on floors and exterior cladding. The roofs carry alerce shingles, and in some periods zinc sheets were added.