Church of Rilán facts for kids
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Rilán, Castro, Chiloé Island, Chiloé Province, Los Lagos Region, Chile |
| Part of | Churches of Chiloé |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii) |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
| Area | 0.7 ha (1.7 acres) |
The Church of Rilán is a beautiful old church located in the small town of Rilán. This town is part of Castro on Chiloé Island in southern Chile. Its full name in Spanish is Iglesia de Santa María, Rilán.
This church is very special! It was named a National Monument of Chile in 1971. Even more exciting, it's one of 16 churches on Chiloé Island that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This happened on November 30, 2000. Being a World Heritage Site means it's considered important for everyone in the world to protect.
The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Her special day, called a feast day, is celebrated every year on February 11. The Church of Rilán is also an important center for the local community. It leads one of the 24 parishes that belong to the Diocese of Ancud.
History of the Church of Rilán
The story of the Church of Rilán goes way back to 1658. At that time, Rilán was a settlement for the native people of the area. This shows how long the community has been there.
The church building you see today was built a long time ago, in the early 1800s. It was made using strong local woods. The main structure uses coigue and cypress wood. The outside is covered with alerce, more cypress, and mañio wood. These woods are known for being very durable.
Because of its unique history and construction, the church was officially recognized as a National Monument of Chile in 1979. Later, in 2000, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the Churches of Chiloé. This recognition helps protect these amazing wooden churches for future generations.
See also
