An archipelago of wooden churches, mythology and wild nature in southern Chile.
An archipelago of wooden churches, mythology and wild nature in southern Chile.
In 1567 the Spanish seized Chiloé after various epidemics, such as chickenpox and measles, had weakened the native population. These islands went unnoticed until the 1850s, when their proximity to Puerto Montt gave them commercial importance. Fishing is the main industry, and salmon and shellfish farming predominate.
The islands have a rich spiritual culture based on a mythology of witches, ghost ships and forest beings. On the islands of Chiloé, you can find 16 wooden churches dating from the 17th–18th centuries, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These architectural treasures, with European and indigenous designs, were built by Jesuit missionaries who came to evangelize the islands’ inhabitants.
Chiloé National Park covers 430 km2 and is full of wildlife. There are 110 species of birds, foxes and colonies of the world’s smallest deer, the Pudú. In addition, there are many indigenous Huilliche communities within the park.
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