Chiloé Archipelago

The Chiloé Archipelago is a group of islands off the Pacific coast of southern Chile in the Los Lagos Region, noted for a distinctive island culture and traditional wooden architecture.

The archipelago is best known for its wooden churches, many built by local craftsmen using timber techniques that blend indigenous and European influences; 16 of these churches are a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Travellers also visit colourful waterfront stilt houses, local fisheries, and small coastal towns for craft markets and regional cuisine.

European mission activity and settlement from the 16th century introduced new building types and religious architecture, which were adapted by local carpenters into the large wooden churches and vernacular houses seen today. The islands have maintained a strong local culture with maritime traditions and communal building practices.

Located off Chile’s southern Pacific coast in the Los Lagos Region, the archipelago’s principal settlements are on Isla Grande de Chiloé (Castro, Ancud, Dalcahue) and on many smaller neighbouring islands.

• UNESCO churches: Sixteen wooden churches across the archipelago are recognised by UNESCO for their distinctive timber construction and community-based maintenance.
• Palafitos: Castro is noted for its colourful palafitos - stilt houses along the waterfront - which are a characteristic local building form.

What to See #

• Isla Grande de Chiloé and Castro: The largest island, Isla Grande de Chiloé, contains the regional capital Castro and many traditional wooden buildings and palafitos - houses on stilts - along its coastline.
• Churches of Chiloé (UNESCO): A cluster of wooden churches and chapels, 16 of which were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their unique carpentry and fusion of indigenous and European building traditions.
• Major towns: Coastal towns such as Ancud, Dalcahue and Quellón that serve as transport and cultural hubs for the archipelago and gateways to natural and historic sites.