Church of San Pedro de Atacama

The Church of San Pedro de Atacama is a Catholic church in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Constructed during the Spanish colonial period, it is reportedly the second oldest church in Chile. Indigenous adobe material was used in the church's construction, whose appearance is characterized as simple and elegant. The church was built in the seventeenth century, underwent modifications in the eighteenth century, and additions were made in the nineteenth century. The church was declared a historical monument in 1951.GeographyThe church is located in San Pedro de Atacama on the west side of the tree-lined Plaza de Armas,) and near the town's oldest building, Casa Incaica, which dates to 1540 San Pedro, originally a locale of indigenous atacameños or Kunzas, now a bustling tourist centre, is from Antofagasta.HistoryThe town's original church was built more than 100 years earlier than the current church. The present church was built in the 17th century during the Spanish colonial rule. The patron saint is Peter. It has undergone many renovations; its present walls are dated to 1744. A tower was a 1964 addition, while other construction occurred in 1978. Restoration work on the structure occurred in 2009 under the auspices of the Department of Architecture, Antofagasta Region.FeaturesThe church is constructed of adobe material; there are three doors, an arched stone lintel, and beamed ceiling. Both the interior and exterior are painted white, while the altar is of bright coloring. The walls, roof, and the entrance door are built with algarrobo wood and cardón (cactus wood