Catedral de Punta Arenas (Cathedral of Punta Arenas), Punta Arenas
The Cathedral of Punta Arenas, officially known as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, is a striking Catholic church. Dedicated to the Salesian order, its construction began on December 28, 1892, based on plans drawn up by Father Juan Bernab茅 of the Salesians. It stands as an important spiritual and historical landmark in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica region. The building features a Renaissance-style bell tower and an Ionic architectural influence that reflects European design traditions, setting it apart as one of the most elegant religious structures in the southernmost part of Chile.
Inside, the cathedral is designed in a basilica layout with three Romanesque-style naves divided by graceful Corinthian columns. The dimensions of the church鈥�46 meters in length, 18 meters in width, and over 30 meters in height鈥攃reate a grand and serene interior. The bell tower, added in 1898, reaches a height of 30 meters and originally housed seven bells and a clock imported from Italy, which were blessed in 1899. The original clock was later replaced by a computerized version in 1991. In 1913, a protective wrought-iron fence was added around the cathedral at the request of Father Luis H茅ctor Salaberry to safeguard the site.
The cathedral is also remembered as a site of political significance in Chile鈥檚 modern history. On February 26, 1984, it became the backdrop for one of the earliest public protests against General Augusto Pinochet. As the dictator prepared to receive military honors in the nearby main square, demonstrators gathered on the sidewalk outside the cathedral, shouting anti-Pinochet slogans. This moment cemented the cathedral鈥檚 role not only as a religious and architectural icon but also as a witness to the sociopolitical evolution of the city and country.
Inside, the cathedral is designed in a basilica layout with three Romanesque-style naves divided by graceful Corinthian columns. The dimensions of the church鈥�46 meters in length, 18 meters in width, and over 30 meters in height鈥攃reate a grand and serene interior. The bell tower, added in 1898, reaches a height of 30 meters and originally housed seven bells and a clock imported from Italy, which were blessed in 1899. The original clock was later replaced by a computerized version in 1991. In 1913, a protective wrought-iron fence was added around the cathedral at the request of Father Luis H茅ctor Salaberry to safeguard the site.
The cathedral is also remembered as a site of political significance in Chile鈥檚 modern history. On February 26, 1984, it became the backdrop for one of the earliest public protests against General Augusto Pinochet. As the dictator prepared to receive military honors in the nearby main square, demonstrators gathered on the sidewalk outside the cathedral, shouting anti-Pinochet slogans. This moment cemented the cathedral鈥檚 role not only as a religious and architectural icon but also as a witness to the sociopolitical evolution of the city and country.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Punta Arenas. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Catedral de Punta Arenas (Cathedral of Punta Arenas) on Map
Sight Name: Catedral de Punta Arenas (Cathedral of Punta Arenas)
Sight Location: Punta Arenas, Chile (See walking tours in Punta Arenas)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Punta Arenas, Chile (See walking tours in Punta Arenas)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Punta Arenas, Chile
Create Your Own Walk in Punta Arenas
Creating your own self-guided walk in Punta Arenas is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Punta Arenas Introduction Walking Tour
From the dramatic peaks of the Andes Mountains to the penguin-filled shores of Magdalena Island, the landscapes surrounding Punta Arenas are nothing short of extraordinary. Set along the Strait of Magellan in southern Chile, the city is the world鈥檚 southernmost urban center of notable size鈥攁nd long a point of passage for those headed toward Antarctica. Long before shipping routes shifted to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles