Chilotan architecture

Chilotan architecture is a unique architectural style that is mainly restricted to Chiloé Archipelago and southern Chile.

In part because of its physical isolation from the rest of Chile, and access to different materials, Chiloé has a very special architecture that differs a lot from the typical Spanish colonial architecture. The Spanish who arrived in the 16th century, and Jesuit missionaries who followed, constructed hundreds of small wooden churches in an attempt to bring Christianity to a pagan land; the result was a mixing of Catholicism and pagan beliefs. These unique buildings have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nearly all the houses and buildings in colonial Chiloe were built with wood, and roof shingles were extensively employed. Roof shingles of Fitzroya came to be used as money and called "Real de Alerce". In the late XIX century a lot of palafitos (stilt houses) were built in cities like Castro and Chonchi.

Links

• The churches of Chiloe at Unesco world heritage site
• Description of the chiloe churches with pictures