Santiago Baháʼí Temple
Map
General information
TypeBaháʼí House of Worship
LocationSantiago, Chile
Coordinates33°28′20″S 70°30′33″W / 33.472222°S 70.509167°W / -33.472222; -70.509167
CompletedOctober 2016
Height30 metres (98 ft)
Dimensions
Diameter30 metres (98 ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Siamak Hariri
Other information
Seating capacity600
Website
templo.bahai.cl/en/ Edit this at Wikidata

The Santiago Baháʼí House of Worship, also known as the Santiago Baháʼí Temple, is a Baháʼí House of Worship located in Santiago, Chile. Designed by Siamak Hariri, it was inaugurated in 2016 and serves as the continental temple for South America. As with all Baháʼí Houses of Worship, it is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.

History

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In 1953, Shoghi Effendi, then head of the Baháʼí Faith, designated Chile as the site for the continental House of Worship for South America.[1]

In 2001, the Universal House of Justice announced that efforts should begin to construct the «Mother Temple of South America».[2] Later, in 2002, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Chile launched a design competition for the temple, to be built southeast of Santiago.[2] The winning design was submitted by Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects.[3]

Fabrication of components began in 2007. The construction phase started in November 2010,[5] with the installation of the cast glass cladding commencing in October 2014.[6] Construction was completed in October 2016.[7] The temple was dedicated on October 13, 2016,[8] and opened to the public on October 19, 2016.[1]

Fabrication of components began in 2007.[4] The construction phase started in November 2010,[5] with the installation of the cast glass cladding commencing in October 2014.[6] Construction was completed in October 2016.[7] The temple was dedicated on October 13, 2016,[8] and doors opened to the public on October 19, 2016.[1]

According to the Baháʼí World News Service, the Santiago House of Worship had received over 40,000 visitors by December 6, 2016.[9] On November 6, 2019, the same source reported that more 1.4 million people had visited the temple.[10] On 2024, it was reported that that number went up to 2.5 million visitors since its opening.[11]

Architecture

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«Petals» seen from the interior

All Baháʼí Houses of Worship are circular and nine-sided.[12] Accordingly, the Santiago temple features nine entrances, nine pathways, and nine fountains, and its structure consists of nine arching «sails».[1]

These elements have also been described as nine «petals», giving the temple a floral appearance. The «petals» are separated by panes of glass that allow natural light to illuminate the interior.[13] The exterior of the «petals» are clad in cast glass, while the interior surfaces are lined with Portuguese marble.[14] The structure is supported by a steel and aluminum superstructure.[1] The temple accommodates up to 600 people[15] and measures 30 metres in both high and diameter.[13]

Function and use

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The Baháʼí Faith teaches that a House of Worship should be a space for people of all religions to gather, reflect, and worship.[16] As with all Baháʼí Houses of Worship, the Santiago temple is open to all, regardless of religious background, gender, or other distinctions.[16] The sacred writings of the Baháʼí Faith, as well as those of other religions, may be read or chanted within the temple.[16] Choirs may perform musical renditions of prayers and readings, but the use of musical instruments is not permitted inside.[16]

There is no fixed format for worship services, and ritualistic ceremonies are not allowed.[16] Despite the availabity of these temples, most Baháʼí gatherings worldwide take place in private homes, local Baháʼí centres, or rented venues.[17] The Santiago temple serves as the continental House of Worship for South America and was the last of the continental temples to be completed.[18]

Awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Razmilic, Rayna (26 October 2016). "This Baháʼí Temple Took 14 Years To Build—It Was Worth the Wait". Metropolis. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Baha'is in Chile announce call for Temple designs". Baháʼí World News Service. 12 September 2002. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  3. ^ Scott, Alec (13 July 2006). "Higher Power: Toronto architect Siamak Hariri ascends to architectural greatness". CBC. Archived from the original on 2 December 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Fabrication begins on components for Baha'i temple in South America". Baháʼí World News Service. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Excavation work commences for Chile's "temple of light"". Baháʼí World News Service. 28 November 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  6. ^ Watkins, Katie (27 January 2015). "In Progress: Baháʼí Temple of South America / Hariri Pontarini Architects". Arch Daily. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Baha'i Temple of South America". Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Temple hailed as a transcendental 'gift' to Chile and the continent". Baháʼí World News Service. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Temple for South America awakens sense of the sacred". Baháʼí World News Service. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  10. ^ ""The hand of the community crafted the outcome": Baha'i House of Worship receives prestigious international prize". Baháʼí World News Service. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Eight years on, temple continues to uplift hearts and inspire service". Baha'i World News Service. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
  12. ^ Badiee, Julie. "Mashriqu'l-Adhkár". The Baháʼí Encyclopedia Project. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  13. ^ a b Díaz, Francisco (12 January 2017). "In the Heights: The Baháʼí Temple of South America, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile". Canadian Architect. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Baháʼí Temple of South America". Architecture MasterPrize. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  15. ^ a b "RAIC names recipient of the Innovation in Architecture Award". Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d e Rafati, V.; Sahba, F. (1996). "BAHAISM ix. Bahai Temples". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. 3 (Online ed.). New York. pp. 465–467. Retrieved 24 December 2016.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  17. ^ Momen, M. (1997). "The Baháʼí Community". A Short Introduction to the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford, UK: One World Publications. ISBN 1-85168-209-0.
  18. ^ a b "South America Temple bridges two eras". Baháʼí World News Service. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  19. ^ "International Architecture Awards 2017". The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  20. ^ "AIA Innovation Award recipients selected". American Institute of Architects. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Winners of 2018 Ontario Association of Architects Awards Revealed". Ontario Association of Architects. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Baháʼí Temple of South America". Hariri Pontarini Architects. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Baháʼí Temple of South America". The Institution of Structural Engineers. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Hariri Pontarini Architects Wins 2019 RAIC International $100,000 (CAD) Prize for Excellence in Architecture". Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  25. ^ Bozikovic, Alex (25 October 2019). "Global $100,000 prize in architecture goes to Toronto's Hariri Pontarini Architects". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
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