Iglesia La Viñita, Colonial church in Recoleta, Chile
Iglesia La Viñita is a religious building in Recoleta with thick adobe walls, a bell tower, and a rectangular central nave supported by wooden beams. The structure combines traditional colonial construction methods with sacred functions that continue to define the area.
The first chapel was founded between 1545 and 1547 on Huechuraba Hill, making it Chile's earliest Catholic building. The present structure dates from 1834 and incorporates materials from the original chapel that was moved down from the hilltop due to structural issues.
The church holds a polychrome wooden statue of the Virgin of Montserrat that shaped local spiritual practices over centuries. This figure remains central to how people experience the space and understand the religious traditions connected to the area.
The building sits at the intersection of Santos Dumont Street and Recoleta Avenue, making it straightforward to locate. A foundation has managed the site for several years, caring for its upkeep and visitor access.
According to local accounts, an indigenous person discovered the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat on the hill rather than finding it placed there. This unexpected discovery created a direct connection between the local people and the sacred object that shaped how the site was perceived.
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