When you enter into the Church of San Francisco the beauty of the craftsmanship adorning the ceiling of the central nave of the temple is impressive. The ceiling in addition to forming the roof, contributes to the solidness of the structure that has helped the church to survive through so many earthquakes. It is an architectonic colonial jewel of 1615 that we can still appreciate.

Similarly, the huge white stone walls are also imposing, in contract with the coffered ceiling, the huge white stone walls showing all the colonial splendor of the church, thus forming one of the few examples of architecture and colonial art present in the city today.

On one of the sides, in a glass cabinet keeps the image of the «El Señor de la Caña», a polychrome wood image, brought from Peru.

A pulpit can be appreciated in the central nave and the high altar is located at the end of the nave presided by the Virgin of the Perpetuo Socorro, the same image that Pedro de Valdivia brought with him on his travels to Chile. This image dates from the XVI Century and is carved in polychrome wood, representing Mary’s Advocation of the Assumption, which the conquistadores called the Virgin del Socorro. The Baby Jesus that she holds in her arms was placed at a later date. She is dressed with clothes from the XIX Century.

Two sculptures accompany the Virgin, one of San Francisco and the other of Santo Domingo. In the top part of the altar there are the sculptures of four angels and an oil painting. The altar is also formed by eight Corinthian-style columns.

In the presbytery, what was recovered after the 1647 earthquake from the choir ashlar can be seen, as well as the oldest carved figure preserved in Chile showing beautiful Chilean work made with cypress wood dating from the XVII Century, with Renaissance motifs.

Over the presbytery, on the ceiling, there is an octagonal lantern built in 1881, richly ornamented on its sides and ending in the top part with glasses that give great illumination to the zone.

The ceiling of the lateral naves is made of tongued and grooved solid wood planks, decorated with some moldings and with religious motif paintings that stand out. The altars were made in a Baroque style, replaced by others in a neo-classical style in 1881.

North Lateral Nave (from the entrance)

A wood crucifix can be appreciated under the image of the Virgin and the Madre Dolorosa.

Altar of San Francisco, the altar keynote is the image of San Francisco who has a large cross in his hand. Over the cross the caption that reads “Sanctus Didacus” can be seen. He is accompanied by Saint Cayetano and Saint Roque. The altar is made of white marble with Corinthian style columns and the floor combines white and black marble.

Altar of Saint Jose, the altar keynote is the image of Saint Joseph who has a staff in his hand. There is a caption on the top that reads “Jesus María Joseph”. The altar is made of white and black marble, with Corinthian style columns built by the architect Eusebio Chelli.

Altar of San Francisco, the altar keynote is the image of San Francisco. The altar is white with Corinthian style columns in brown veined marble.

Altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the altar keynote is a sculpture of Jesus accompanied by two sculptures of Saints. There is an independent chapel that leads to the high altar and is connected to it by a small door. The altar is built in white marble, with two Corinthian style columns in green marble.

South Lateral Nave (from the entrance)

Altar of Saint Buenaventura, White marble altar with Corinthian style columns and chamfering abacus and black marble applications; it also has the image of the Saint in polychrome wood.

Altar of Our Lady del Carmen, White marble altar with Corinthian style columns, presided by a polychrome wood image of the Virgin del Carmen.

Altar of Jesus, the altar keynote is the polychrome wood image of Jesus on the Cross agonizing, accompanied by two Saints; there is a white marble altar with Corinthian style columns, on the top you can read the caption “Salvatori Mundi”.

Altar of Saint Antonio, the altar keynote is the image of Saint Antonio. It is an independent chapel from the high altar, communicated by a small door. The altar is built in marble with Corinthian style columns.