San Francisco de Chiu Chiu

Chiu Chiu is a a small village in the Atacama desert, situated at 2525m in an oasis by the River Loa. It has been inhabited by Atacameños since pre columbian times and was part of the Camino del Inca.

The colonial church dates from 1611 and is a National Monument since 1951. The two bell towers are unusual, typically churches in the area have a single bell tower standing separate from the church itself.
The gate and church door are made of cactus wood and held together by strips of leather.