Church of Tenaún facts for kids
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
Front of the church
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| Location | Tenaún, Dalcahue, Chiloé Island, Chiloé Province, Los Lagos Region, Chile |
| Part of | Churches of Chiloé |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii) |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
| Area | 0.38 ha (0.94 acres) |
The Church of Tenaún is also known as the Church of Our Lady of Patrocinio (Patronage). Its name in Spanish is Spanish: Iglesia de Tenaún, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio. This Catholic church is found in the town of Tenaún, which is part of the Dalcahue area. It's located on the Chiloé Archipelago in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile.
The Church of Tenaún was recognized as a National Monument of Chile in 1999. It is one of 16 Churches of Chiloé that became UNESCO World Heritage Sites on November 30, 2000. This means it's a very important place recognized around the world.
The word "Tenaún" means "three peaks" in the local language. People believe the church's three tall pillars represent these peaks. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Patrocinio, who is its patron saint. Her special day is celebrated every year on January 30.
This church is the main one for the Patrocinio San José parish in Tenaún. This parish is one of 24 that belong to the Diocese of Ancud.
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What Makes the Church Special?
The Church of Tenaún is quite large. It is about 42.40 meters long and 14 meters wide. The main part of the church, called the central nave, is 6.90 meters high. The sides, or lateral naves, are 4.30 meters high. The tallest tower of the church reaches 26.10 meters into the sky.
Building Materials
The church stands on a strong base made of stones and a type of wood called coigüe. Most of its structure is built from different kinds of wood. These include tepa, tenío, and canelo.
Inside the church, the walls are covered with larch wood. The outside of the church is protected by larch tiles. It also uses cypress wood from Guaitecas and more larch. The roof is made of strong, wavy sheets of galvanized iron.
Keeping the Church in Good Shape
The Church of Tenaún is very well preserved. It has been carefully repaired and updated several times. In 1999, it had its first big restoration.
Later, between 2005 and 2006, the church's tall tower and its front part were fixed. Then, from May 2010 to May 2011, the main hall (nave) and the arched ceiling (vault) were restored. These efforts help keep this historic church beautiful for many years.
See Also
