Iglesia de San Francisco, Santiago de Chile facts for kids
The San Francisco Church (or Iglesia de San Francisco in Spanish) is a very old Franciscan church in downtown Santiago de Chile. It stands on a main street called Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins. This church, along with its nearby convent, is one of the oldest buildings from the time when Spain ruled Chile. It's super strong, having survived about 15 big earthquakes!
Contents
History of the San Francisco Church
When Was the Church Built?
The San Francisco Church was officially opened in 1622. Imagine, that's over 400 years ago!
Surviving Earthquakes
The church has faced many challenges, especially from earthquakes.
- In 1647, a big earthquake hit Santiago. The church's first bell tower was destroyed. It fell and damaged part of the choir area. But the rest of the church building stayed strong!
- Then, in 1730, another earthquake badly damaged the rebuilt tower. This tower had to be taken down in 1751.
The Current Bell Tower
The bell tower you see today was built in the mid-1800s. It has a Victorian style. A famous architect named Fermín Vivaceta designed it. This tower is easy to spot because it has a special clock.
Changes Over Time
In the early 1900s, a part of the church's convent was sold. It was torn down to make way for a new neighborhood called Barrio París-Londres. The other part of the convent is now home to the Museo Colonial. This museum shows many old and interesting things.
Architecture of the San Francisco Church
How the Church Looks Inside
The San Francisco Church was first designed in a "Latin cross" shape. This means it looked like a cross from above. But later, side aisles were added. This made the church's main floor plan become a rectangle.
The Main Entrance
The front of the church, called its main facade, has been changed three times. Each time, it was updated to look different.
The Amazing Ceiling
Inside the church, the main area (called the nave) has a special ceiling. It's a "coffered ceiling," which means it has sunken panels. This ceiling is in a style called Mudéjar. This unique style mixes Christian and Islamic art. Its construction started way back in 1615.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Francisco (Santiago de Chile) para niños
