and the royal roads that connected the valleys, highlands, and altiplano of the southern Andes, the old trope roads of the Andean world contin- ued to be containers of life and communities that built their historical narrative based on these areas of movement. All this is highlighted in the cultural interweaving of its Aymara tra- dition and the evangelizing effect of the religious orders that exercised their mission in those places. They developed in the long run, a “cultural miscegenation”, which united their spiritual sensitivity and communi- cation with their environment, together with a deep faith manifested in the development of the Andean Temple, as an articulating center of social and spiritual life. Considering this individuality is the Chilean State, through its tech- nical instance -the Council of National Monuments- has proposed in its tentative list of World Heritage Sites the so-called “Churches of the Altiplano”. In this regard, the Council's website briefly states their char- acter, indicating that: “The most tangible reflection of the encounter between the Hispanic world and that of Tarapacá are the numerous chapels and churches built at that time. The region was colonized by the Spaniards early on". We believe that based on the above, it is important to delve deeper into the attempt to preserve these missionary chapels that are spread across the current territory of northern Chile, southern Peru, western Bolivia, and northern Argentina, reviewing the contributions and testimonies that their own communities have made to us. For these purposes, we have concentrated on the region of Arica and Parinacota, which is a conser- vation territory marked by its Andean temples and by the efforts of its communities that, lovingly devoted to cultural persistence, give mean- ing, story, and sense to the conservation of their churches as a legacy of humanity. The local vision transcends, in this way, the practice of the center because it operates from the heart itself and from the community feeling that gives not only the status of monument but also of treasure, in the sense of a wealth accumulated and cared for over generations. After many years dedicated to learning about the profound value of these Andean churches and while attending to the need to support the communities that want to preserve themselves, now and forever, we propose that these precious chapels - authentic and unique samples of Andean Christianity - be considered as a universal category, the Andean Temple, since they fulfill a series of characteristics that support and justify their consideration: 1. Sacred Landscape. Each Andean temple is inscribed in magnificent natural scenery and environment of the Andean American south, in one of the diverse ecological floors, and connected materially by its adobe bricks, stones, cattails, and rough straw to the surrounding mother nature. 2. Ancestral culture. Each Andean temple is the manifestation of the deep spirituality of a culture that has known how to live next to the desert and the Andes mountain range. It is reflected in its location, its orientation, its dedication, its integration with calvaries and processional posts, as well as its sacred function that, in a mixture of elements, gives it a unique character. 3. Liturgical art. Each Andean temple is a complex and particular aesthetic manifestation, as befits places of worship, in which architecture, art, music, dance, textiles, and imagery are integrated into an amalgamated whole that is traced from a missionary effort defined by the Catholic Church from the sixteenth century, at the service of the Spanish Empire. Until today. 4. Adaptive style. Each Andean temple is a challenge for the study of ma- terial aesthetic styles, with attributes of value that connect traditions from the East, Europe, and pre-Hispanic America, allowing surprise and para- dox, questioning what has been defined so far as vernacular and colonial. 5. Heart of the Community: Each Andean temple, no matter if it is in ruins or carefully preserved, is the center of community life, its most sacred place. There, the old customs are updated and revitalized along with rites associated with the permanent cycle of life, birth, and death, sowing and harvesting.
Finally, we believe and affirm that Andean temples are the fruit of a unique encounter between the Andean world and European culture, giving rise to a singular artistic and spiritual expression. These sanctu- aries, rooted in the ancestral cosmovision and the Catholic faith, are a living testimony of the human ability to adapt, create, and transcend. Their strength and vitality lie in their deep connection with the commu- nities that surround them, transforming them into the heart of social, cultural, and spiritual life, where the traditions, knowledge, and values of the community are transmitted from generation to generation. The conservation of these temples is, therefore, a collective task that in- volves the commitment of local communities, authorities, and society as a whole. Hence, we consider that their value transcends the merely aesthetic, making them a heritage of humanity that deserves to be and should be protected. In addition, it is essential to recognize that these temples not only represent a historical and cultural legacy but are also living spaces that continue to play a crucial role in the communities' daily lives. The festivities, rituals, and celebrations that take place in these places are a manifestation of collective identity and a way of keeping historical memory alive. The constant interaction between the past and the present in these temples reinforces the sense of belonging and social cohesion, promoting a dialogue that enriches the local culture. In this sense, protection and preservation should not only focus on the physical aspect of these temples but also on supporting the cultural and spiritual practices that give them life. It is imperative to encourage initiatives that involve communities in managing and caring for these spaces, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from this invaluable heritage. Only through a joint and sustained effort can we guarantee that these temples will continue to be beacons of identity and spirituality for all. ! Magdalena Pereira She holds a Ph.D. in Art History. Center for Heritage Studies, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. Altiplano Foundation.
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AOA / n°51
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