Church of Tenaún, Catholic church in Dalcahue, Chile.
The Church of Tenaún is a wooden building approximately 42 meters long with a striking tower about 26 meters high. The entire structure uses wood throughout, defining the appearance of this religious site with its distinctive shape.
During the 1800s, missionaries worked with local fishermen to build this church, using traditional shipbuilding methods in its construction. This approach was typical of religious structures built in coastal areas during that period.
The name Tenaún comes from the local indigenous language and refers to three peaks, which is reflected in the three pillars visible inside the building. This connection between the name and the structure shows how local traditions were woven into the religious design.
The building is open to visitors during religious celebrations, especially on January 30 for the patron saint feast. Planning your visit around local celebrations helps you experience the site as it is meant to be seen.
Builders used native wood types like coigüe, tepa, tenío, and canelo that grow naturally in the region. This choice of materials joins regional resources with religious architecture in an uncommon way.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
