San Francisco Church

Coro, Falcón, Venezuela
1720--1887
In 1613 Franciscans founded the Convent of La Salceda, but it was not until 1720 they raised San Francisco Church, one of the first the order erected in Venezuela. Following several enlargements and reconstructions, in 1887 finished the neo-Gothic-inspired structure. But the church is equally distinguished by its vernacular motifs, including delicate decorative ironwork in neo-Gothic windows and a polychrome wood-covered ceiling. The church remains an active place of worship but the religious order is unable to fund major repairs. Years ago state agencies carried out insufficient conservation measures that caused considerable damage. Part of that intervention involved removing the roof, leaving the interior exposed to the elements for two years. The subsoil became saturated, the clay within it expanded, and dangerous interior and exterior cracks developed. Since 1998 Watch listing, several studies were conducted and preventive repairs made, but the original threats remain. The church is included in the site Coro and its Port, which is on the World Heritage List.

Listed in 1998