Iglesia del Tránsito de la Santísima Virgen María – Architecture

The construction is based on wood structure and adobe walls. Stylistically, it is quite diverse, using elements from different moments of the architecture history. One of the church’s main characteristics is its height. In the late 19th century, buildings in our country tended to be higher and architecturally more sophisticated. For this reason, this tendency was adopted in the construction of traditional Chilean houses, which now accommodated a second floor.

Its façade is composed of an atrium supported by four Doric-inspired columns, which sustain a triangular pediment, containing a semicircular arch, in its mid section. This atrium covers the entrance, which is composed of three doors structured by lintels.

The layout of the upper part of the façade is similar, where the center part is bigger than lateral ones. The number 3 symbolism is maintained in this construction (referring to the Trinity). Windows end up in semicircular arches; the one in the middle is double and is decorated in its upper part by another bulls-eye window ending up in a semicircular arch with voussoirs in sight. This central element is covered by a gabled roof containing a trefoil arch where a cross is observed.

Façade finishes with an 8-side bell tower ending up in a spire with a cross.

Inside, a single double-height big nave is observed. It portrays a lintelled ceiling, ending up in an 8-sided wall with a semicircular arch leading to a 5-sided apse. Upper side is developed as a clerestory, with double windows ending up in semicircular arches and colored stained glass.