The Iglesia de San Francisco (San Francisco Church) presents a showcase of religious and colonial art while being a magnificent example of 16th-century architecture. Dating back to the late 1500s, the church is a symbolic landmark of Santiago and the city’s oldest-surviving building.
Stand at the church’s entrance and marvel at its solid stone walls, which have withstood several powerful earthquakes. Check out the Victorian-style bell tower, the fourth tower erected at the church. Step inside and look up at the wooden roof adorned with ornate flower motifs. At the altar you can see a carved icon of the Virgen del Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). The icon belonged to Pedro de Valdivia, the founder of Santiago, who believed that she protected him during his crusades.
Don’t miss the church’s Museo Colonial de San Francisco, situated inside an annexed convent. Its seven galleries display paintings, textiles, sculptures and furniture originating from the 16th to 18th centuries. A highlight is a collection of paintings portraying the life of St. Francis of Assisi. See tools used by Franciscan monks and sculptures, chalices and silverware crafted in Peru. Look for the replica of the Nobel Prize in Literature medal won by the Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral in 1945.
End your visit at the convent’s picturesque courtyard, where native plants encircle an ornamental fountain. The courtyard’s tranquility is a far cry from the noise of the surrounding city streets, so it is a nice place to linger.
Situated along the main thoroughfare in Santiago’s historic centre, the Iglesia de San Francisco is a 15-minute walk from Plaza de Armas. The Santa Lucía metro stop is a short walk away and public buses also stop nearby. Among the nearby attractions worth visiting are the picturesque Santa Lucía Hill and historic Palacio de la Moneda.
The church is open daily, including public holidays. This is still an active place of worship, so visitors are asked to be quiet and respectful. The museum is also open daily and there is a nominal admission fee. Find full details on the museum’s official website.
