OBSERVANDO LA ARQUITECTURA A TRAVES DE SU HISTORIA "IGLESIA DE SANTO DOMINGO"

During the time I studied at the university, the curriculum included 4 architecture histories, the most studied countries were Italy, France, Spain, Egypt, Greece among other countries, but very few countries in South America, nowadays it What most caught my attention and I reflect on it for this time, was the construction of these temples, great works with few materials, with little technology and the mystery of remaining intact over the years.

Como hacia el hombre para hacer tan grandes estructuras? detalle que le doy mérito y una gran importancia empezando por este templo católico, fundado por Domingo De Guzmán en 1557, siendo declarado monumento nacional en 1951, está ubicado en el casco central de Santiago de Chile, en calles Santo Domingo y 21 de mayo, es increíble como el espacio urbano moderno, se conecta con esta imponente edificación, incluso tomo en cuenta lo poco que quedaba de espacios urbano y lo anexo al conjunto arquitectónico de la iglesia, empezando por la pila o fuente que une las calles con un hermoso boulevard.

How did man make such great structures? Detail that I give it merit and great importance starting with this Catholic temple, founded by Domingo De Guzmán in 1557, being declared a national monument in 1951, it is located in the central area of ​​Santiago, in Santo Domingo and May 21 streets, it is incredible As the modern urban space, it connects with this imposing building, I even take into account the little that was left of urban spaces and what was attached to the architectural complex of the church, starting with the font or fountain that connects the streets with a beautiful boulevard.

This is temple because of what I documented in this beautiful visit and its three seasons of landslides, starting from 1557 with the founding of the religious house dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary, but by the 1575 earthquake it was destroyed. The second church was built in 1606 but due to the 1647 earthquake it had several faults and was collapsed. Fact that happened with the third temple inaugurated in 1677, even though it was built with solid brick, was destroyed by the earthquake of 1730. I want to clarify that Chile is a country with frequent tremors, due to the speed of convergence of plates much higher than any other part of the world.

• Fachada lateral que une el templo con el boulevard.

Side facade that connects the temple with the boulevard.

The temple that we have today was the fourth stage, with a Neoclassical style and built with stone blocks and the final one began to be built in 1747 and its inauguration in 1771, despite some fires and accidents that it had, remained intact in its structure and it was then that the architect Joaquín Toesca until 1808 put an end to this imposing work of architecture.

• Detalle de fachada principal.

Main facade detail.

• Nave central con vista al altar mayor.

Central nave overlooking the main altar.

Despite the years and its falls, it remains intact with its restorations, a fact that I confirmed, when I went inside the temple, with its three imposing naves and its impeccable ceilings, in the central nave the main altar with the Virgin of the Carmen (Patroness of Chile) and a transparent dome with chains that hang as tensioners from the ceiling is Jesus Christ crucified, I can tell you that one of the wonders of this temple is the altar where the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar is located, with a gilded bronze column and with a replica of the art painting "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, a scene that marked the history of the institution of the Eucharist, when Jesus Christ fed his disciples bread and wine.

You can also see the intact wood finish in each of its naves, the stained glass windows and their contrast with the color of the walls, the carving of columns with marble, it is every detail that makes this publication worthy and important.

• Altar mayor o principal.

Major or main altar.

• Capilla del Santísimo.

Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

• Nave lateral.

Side nave.

• Vitral en puerta lateral y detalle de mármol en columna de entrada.

Stained- glass window in side door and marble detail in entrance column.

• Detalle de mármol en columna.

Marble column detail.