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 or Church of Our Lady of Patrocinio (Patronage) is a beautiful Catholic church. You can find it in the small town of Tenaún, which is part of the Dalcahue area. This town is located on the Chiloé Archipelago in southern Chile.
This church is very special! In 1999, it was named a National Monument of Chile. Then, on November 30, 2000, it became one of 16 Churches of Chiloé to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's considered super important for everyone in the world to protect and enjoy.
The name "Tenaún" means "three peaks" in the native language of the area. Many people believe the church’s three tall towers represent these three peaks. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Patrocinio, who is its patron saint. Her special day, called a feast day, is celebrated every year on January 30. This church is also the main church for the Patrocinio San José parish. This parish is one of 24 parishes that form the Diocese of Ancud.
Contents
Exploring the Church's Design
Let's learn about how this amazing church is built!
How Big Is It?
The Church of Tenaún is quite large. It measures 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 of the church, known as the lateral naves, are 4.30 meters high. Its tallest tower reaches an impressive height of 26.10 meters!
What Materials Were Used?
The church stands on a strong base made of stones and coigüe wood. Its main structure is built mostly from different types of wood. These include tepa, tenío, and canelo wood.
Inside, the walls are covered with beautiful larch wood. On the outside, the church is covered with larch tiles. It also uses cypress wood from Guaitecas and more larch for its outer layers. The roof is made of strong corrugated sheets of galvanized iron.
How Is It Kept in Good Shape?
The Church of Tenaún is in very good condition today. It has been carefully restored several times. The first restoration happened in 1999. Later, between 2005 and 2006, the tall tower and the front of the church were repaired. More recently, from May 2010 to May 2011, the main part of the church (the nave) and its arched ceiling (the vault) were restored.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Tenaún para niños
