page_title: Iglesia de la Matriz
section_title: Destruction and reconstruction
hierarchical_section_title: Iglesia de la Matriz / History / Destruction and reconstruction
context_page_description: The Iglesia de La Matriz del Salvador is a church in the city of Valparaíso, Chile. Located in the heart of the port district of the city, surrounded by cobblestone streets and houses it has a historical importance in the city and was declared a National Monument of Chile in 1971.
context_section_description: In 1578, Sir Francis Drake was said to have devastated the port and looted the chapel, taking its treasures and a chalice of silver. During the 17th and 18th century the church suffered pirate attacks. The church has also had a very uncertain history given the frequency of earthquakes which have gutted the building. Since the initial foundation, three churches have been successively erected on the site of the first chapel.
  In November 1822 an earthquake affected the church to the extent it had to be rebuilt stone by stone but this was not done quickly. The church remained a ruin for over a decade until reconstruction began in 1837, finished in 1842, under the direction of priest Jose Antonio Riobío.
  This fourth construction, is the one that still stands today.
  In 1868, a quite unusual situation took place in the church when it was used as a voting venue for the elections.
caption: Iglesia de la Matriz in 1822 painted by an English artist shortly before the earthquake
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