Rancagua Cathedral

Recently, more and more travelers began to come to the Chilean city of Rancagua. They are attracted there by noble local wines and rich history. Only one central square can tell so many stories that you will want to stay for a few days to learn all its secrets. And it is worth starting this long journey with its most important attraction - the Rancagua Cathedral.

The main Catholic shrine of the city was built in 1550 by the bishop of the province of Santiago, Diego de Medellín. It was a separate church from the parish in Santiago: it was designed to continue evangelism in the region and provide an opportunity for Rancagua residents to perform religious rites in their city. It was originally called La Santa Cruz in honor of the symbol of the Christian faith. The building had two low towers and three entrances, the main of which was to the central square. The first priest to be recorded in a church journal was Hernando de Jesús. He humbly served the temple for three years from 1578 to 1581: he read scriptures and prayers to the indigenous population, performed baptismal rites, and rendered all possible assistance to the Spanish colonialists in spreading their faith and religion.

The first Catholic church of the city existed until the beginning of the 19th century. In 1814, it was almost destroyed as a result of the battle of Rancagua. Church utensils dating from 1799 also were in disrepair. So in 1854, the city council decided to build a new city church on the site of the destroyed one.

Construction began in 1861 according to the project of the French architect and engineer Juan Herbage. And another great master, the Italian architect Eusebio Chelli, completed the project. It is his great creation that we see today in Rankagua.