Churches of Chiloe & the City of Castro
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Port
Castro, Isla Chiloe, Chile
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$179
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Churches of Chiloé
The Churches of Chiloé embody the intangible richness of South America's second-largest island. Chiloé was first inhabited by Chonos Natives (now extinct) and Mapuche Natives from the north. A blend of Native and Spanish conquistador genes gave rise to the Chilotes -- the people of Chiloé. The Jesuit missionaries who arrived in 1608 (and stayed for 160 years) built chapels everywhere -- more than 150 in all. Sixteen of these chapels are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you will visit two of them today.
Set out on a drive towards Chonchi. It's known as 'the three-story town' because its houses form a step-like arrangement on the hillside. The first building here was the Jesuit mission, built in 1754; construction of the church followed. Visit the Church of Chonchi and drive past colorful wooden houses to explore the small but interesting Museum of Traditions.
You will head to the Gamboa Viewpoint overlooking the Gamboa River. From here, you can appreciate the palafitos -- wooden houses built on stilts over the water. This is very typical Chiloéan architecture.
Driving back to town, visit Castro's San Francisco Cathedral, built in 1906 and lined outside with zinc-iron plates.
Enjoy a little time to browse at the interesting and colorful handicraft market of Castro en route back to the pier.
Note:
Parking by the handicraft market is not possible; you will walk from the pier back to the market accompanied by your guide.