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San Francisco Church

San Francisco Church, Santiago: Address, Phone Number, San Francisco Church Reviews: 4.5/5

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San Francisco Church

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San Francisco Church
4.5
994
#30 of 522 things to do in Santiago
Churches & Cathedrals
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About
The immense red walls and vast great room leave visitors in awe as this 16th centruy structure is Santiago's oldest building.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
How to get there
  • Universidad de Chile Ahumada • 3 min walk
  • Santa Lucía • 3 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,256 within 3 miles
Restaurant Bristol
299
196 ft$$$$ • Chilean • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
La Serrana
381
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Quijote Restaurant
216
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Mediterranean • Chilean
Soho Thai
267
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Healthy
Centro Cultural La Moneda
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0.3 mi$$ - $$$
Salvador
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Latin • Chilean • Vegetarian Friendly
El Naturista
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455 ft$$ - $$$ • Chilean • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
New Horizon
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0.4 mi$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Starbucks
336
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe
Duri Sushi
154
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
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Attractions
400 within 6 miles
Museo de Arte Colonial de San Francisco
229
352 ftSpeciality Museums
Barrio Paris Londres
995
0.1 miNeighborhoods
Londres 38
42
444 ftSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Santiago Stock Exchange
45
491 ftArchitectural Buildings
Biblioteca Nacional (National Library)
615
0.2 miLibraries
Galeria Santiago Centro
9
455 ftShopping Malls
Teatro Municipal de Santiago
620
0.2 miTheaters
Cerro Santa Lucia
19,572
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Plaza de Armas de La Pintana
46
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Museo Del Ahorro
5
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
994 reviews
Excellent
480
Very good
394
Average
111
Poor
6
Terrible
3
WImom
Fond du Lac, WI2,339 contributions
Beautiful church
Spent about 20 minutes here. Took the metro University of Chile to here and walked a short distance. Free entry. The first stone was laid here in 1586 making it Santiago's oldest surviving colonial building. There is an attached colonial-art museum for a fee.
Written April 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sachin K
Plainview, NY5,842 contributions
Oldest church in Santiago
Family
The San Francisco Church is a Franciscan church on Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins in downtown of Santiago. The church, along with the adjacent convent, is one of the oldest colonial-era buildings in Chile and the oldest one in Santiago. The church was consecrated in 1622. It’s bell tower was destroyed by an earthquake in 1647, while the rest of the building successfully resisted it. In 1730 another earthquake badly damaged the rebuilt tower, which was demolished in 1751. The current bell tower is of Victorian architecture and was constructed in the mid-1800s. It’s architect was Fermín Vivaceta and features a distinctive clock. Could not visit inside. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this old church.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WorldTravelers34
Chicago, IL2,399 contributions
The church was consecrated in 1622
This is a beautiful church. The San Francisco Church (Spanish: Iglesia de San Francisco) is a Franciscan church on Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, in the downtown of Santiago. The church, along with the adjacent convent, is one of the oldest colonial-era buildings in Chile. This iconic church ranks among the city's oldest and most beautiful religious structures, dating back to the original Spanish settlements.

The church is located near Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral, next to Parque San Borja.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ruthandvern
Wilton, CA14,675 contributions
Marvelous edifice!
This is not a gaudy display type church. This is a living, breathing community. It just happens to be fantastically beautiful. The ceilings are like none I've ever seen. Frescoes are on the ceilings of each apse. The alter and two side altars are mostly simple and fantastic. 1st constructed in 1622 it is the oldest surviving church through the earth's activity. What a miracle. It was quiet and peaceful.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steven T
Seattle, WA1,801 contributions
Historic cathedral of Santiago
Solo
I was told that the San Francisco cathedral is the oldest building in the entire city. It is an amazingly well maintained and majestic cathedral. I didn’t see a speck of dust anywhere. In fact, a maintenance person was vacuuming the largest altar during my visit. You can definitely feel the centuries of history as you walk through this grand old cathedral. There are numerous altars throughout the cathedral, each uniquely beautiful. If you’re out walking along Avenue Libertador Bernardo (the main avenue in Santiago) it would be definitely worth your while to stop inside and have a look at this grand old cathedral.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bukagirl
New Jersey3,773 contributions
Christmas mass
Solo
A beautiful church if you are in the area and love old historic churches this is a must.
The artwork is beautiful and I was lucky enough to hear them
sing X-mas songs a beautiful experience.
Written December 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey14,393 contributions
Glad we walked in
Couples
The church looked relatively unassuming from the outside but it is a beautiful and worth the visit place in the downtown of Santiago. There is a convent right next to it and both are the oldest colonial-era buildings in Chile. They survived even major earthquakes - except for the bell tower.
Written October 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lorraine B
Vienna, Austria9 contributions
Nice Church
Couples
The Church is the oldest in Chile and right next to our hotel, Plaza San Francisco and the Museo Colonial. Looks very plain from the outside but is quite impressive inside. Very calming interior and spacious, makes one want to just sit and absorb the peacefulness of it.
Written January 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,748 contributions
All a bit shabby, but worth the visit
Solo
The church and the accompanying museum in the next door convent are well worth seeing, if only for their rather faded and run down state of repair. The artefacts are interesting, but the walls are crumbling and the decay actually proves rather attractive. The church is free to visit (if mass is taking place) but the museum charges a minimal CS1000. The cloistered grounds of the museum house gardens and peacocks, whereas the galleries are packed with paintings and statuary.
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terrance1953
Manchester, CT79 contributions
They have a museum but it closes after 12
Couples
Typical old Spanish church. To be honest, you've see one you've see them all mostly. Just missed the museum which gave you access to the cloisters.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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