Iglesia de San Ignacio, Catholic church in Santiago, Chile
The Iglesia de San Ignacio is a Catholic church in Santiago with two striking reinforced concrete towers standing about 47 meters high. The eastern tower displays a four-faced clock from Bilbao, while the interior features valuable artworks.
Construction started in 1867 after fire destroyed the previous church on the site. Italian architect Eusebio Chelli directed the project until 1872, establishing the building's main character.
The name honors Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. Inside, visitors see a grand Baroque-Revival altar and one of Chile's largest pipe organs with more than 2,200 pipes, filling the space with powerful sound.
The church sits at Alonso Ovalle 1490 near San Ignacio street and welcomes visitors during service times and designated hours. The best views of the towers are available from street level outside the building.
The western tower holds three bells, two of which were cast from materials of an ancient bell that survived the 1863 fire. These bells bear witness to the site's resilience through destruction.
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