Church of Vilupulli, Wooden Catholic church in Chonchi, Chile
The Church of Vilupulli is a wooden building with a steep roof located in the Chiloé Archipelago off southern Chile. The entire structure was built from wood using construction methods developed and refined by local craftspeople over time.
The building was constructed in the early 1900s and received designation as a National Monument of Chile in 1971. In 2000 it gained UNESCO World Heritage status alongside other wooden churches of the region.
The church shows how Catholic traditions blend with local wood-working skills developed over generations. You can see this fusion in the way the building was designed and crafted using methods specific to the islands.
The church is located in the town of Chonchi on Chiloé Island and is open for visitors to enter. Allow time for exploring the interior, as access may require asking a local caretaker for entry.
The church is dedicated to Saint Anthony, and local people visit it on his feast day on June 13 each year. This annual celebration shows how much the place still matters to the community.
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