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Historic church · Castro, Los Lagos
Iglesia de Santa María de Loreto de Achao
Jesuit wooden church on Isla Quinchao, dating to around 1730, assembled with wooden pegs and decorated inside with baroque-inspired carvings. UNESCO World Heritage.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Iglesia de Santa María de Loreto de Achao
Achao is the main village of Isla Quinchao, the second largest island in the archipelago, east of Dalcahue. Facing the square, two blocks from the sea, is the church of Santa María de Loreto, regarded as one of the oldest in Chile.
The Jesuits began the work around 1730. After the expulsion of the order in 1767, Franciscans from Peru completed the job. The structure is made of mañío and cypress, joined with wooden pegs instead of nails, and the exterior was covered with larch shingles. It is 46 meters long with a 22-meter tower.
The interior is the reason to visit. The central vault is divided into five sections, the Solomonic columns are ornamented with leaf motifs, the pulpit and the altarpiece are hand-carved, and the floor is made of rustic planks hewn with an axe.
The church has been a National Monument since 1951 and a World Heritage Site since 2000. The patron saint's festival takes place on December 10. Around the square, the wooden houses and the fishermen's pier complete the visit.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half an hour for the church and an hour for the village and the waterfront. Including the ferries and the road, the outing from Castro takes half a day.
Best time
Leave Castro in the morning and arrange with Dalcahue for your return. In December, around the 10th, the village holds the festival of Santa María de Loreto.
How to get there
From Castro, go to Dalcahue, take the ferry to Isla Quinchao and continue about 27 km by road, passing through Curaco de Vélez. There are buses from Castro and from Dalcahue to Achao that include the crossing.
Tip
The church is still used for Mass; check the opening hours before you go. Notice the details of the ceiling and the columns, which are in low light: give your eyes time to adjust.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Iglesia de Santa María de Loreto de Achao
Why is the Achao church so well known?
It is considered one of the oldest churches in Chile, built by the Jesuits around 1730, and it preserves the carved wooden interior from that time.
How to get from Castro to Achao?
Go to Dalcahue, take the ferry to Isla Quinchao and continue by road to Achao. There are buses from Castro that include the ferry crossing.
Was the church built without nails?
The structure of mañío and cypress is joined with wooden pegs, a technique of Chiloé carpenters.