Santuario Maria Auxiliadora (Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians), Punta Arenas

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Santuario Maria Auxiliadora (Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians), Punta Arenas

Santuario Maria Auxiliadora (Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians), Punta Arenas

The Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians is a beautiful church built in 1911 by the Salesian congregation. It was made to honor the Virgin Mary for her help in protecting people from Dawson Island. Today, the church is not only a place for prayer but also a favorite stop for visitors. Its tall front doors, arched windows, and peaceful setting make it easy to admire. Inside, the light from colorful stained glass windows creates a warm and calm feeling.

When you step inside, you’ll see statues of saints, paintings of Bible stories, and carefully decorated altars. The church is quiet and peaceful, perfect for sitting down and taking a moment to think or pray. If you're lucky, you might see a wedding or watch locals lighting candles and saying prayers. There are also smaller shrines around the church that invite quiet reflection.

The sanctuary also houses an upper-level organ built by Francesco Vegezzi Bossi e Figlio and has a strong connection to the region’s Catholic identity. In 1987, during his historic visit to Punta Arenas, Pope John Paul II crowned the image of Mary Help of Christians in a moving ceremony that emphasized peace and unity. Adjacent to the sanctuary is the Mayorino Borgatello Museum, which further enriches the visit with exhibits about regional history and culture.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Punta Arenas. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø: 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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Santuario Maria Auxiliadora (Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians) on Map

Sight Name: Santuario Maria Auxiliadora (Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians)
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

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

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’s southernmost urban center of notable size—and 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