Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua, Franciscan church in San Felipe, Chile.
Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua is a neoclassical church in San Felipe, Chile, located in the El Almendral neighborhood. The structure features a roughly 30-meter-high tower and well-proportioned front facade designed by architect Eduardo Provasoli.
Construction of the church started in 1872, with the tower added between 1878 and 1883. This followed the founding of a Franciscan convent in the area in 1865.
The interior shows religious artwork from colonial times painted in soft blue, pink, and yellow tones that mimic marble. These painted walls create a warm and inviting feeling that reflects the decorative traditions of the period.
The building is open to visitors and regularly holds religious services and welcomes those who wish to explore its architecture. It is helpful to check ahead to see if special events might affect access during your visit.
An Italian Franciscan missionary named Antonio Gavilucci founded a convent, novitiate, and study house here in 1865. This facility was created to prepare Italian Franciscans for missionary work in southern Chile and became a key training center for the religious order.
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