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 Catholic church located in the small town of Rilán. This town is part of the Castro area on Chiloé Island in southern Chile. In Spanish, its full name is Iglesia de Santa María, Rilán.
This church is very special! It was named a National Monument of Chile in 1971. Even more, it is one of 16 Churches of Chiloé that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This important recognition happened on November 30, 2000. Being a World Heritage Site means it is a place that is important for everyone in the world to protect.
The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, who is its special protector or "patron saint." People celebrate her feast day every year on February 11. The Church of Rilán also leads one of the 24 parishes in the Diocese of Ancud.
History of the Church
The story of the Church of Rilán goes back a long time. The first church building in Rilán was built in 1658. At that time, Rilán was a place where many local communities lived.
The church building you see today was constructed in the early 1800s. It was built using strong local woods like coigue and cypress. The outside of the church is covered with beautiful wood from alerce, cypress, and mañio trees.
This historic church was officially declared a National Monument of Chile in 1979. Later, on November 30, 2000, it received the even greater honor of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This shows how important and unique this church is to the history and culture of Chiloé.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María (Rilán) para niños
