Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin

The visit to a church or temple is always a reason for a special feeling, no matter what we believe in. As a place of faith, each of them contains an aura, an invisible mystery, something that makes us feel tiny.

It is common for us visitors to tour around the venue in silence, appreciating the scheme, the worship areas and the works of art generally on display.

We visited the small Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin, located on a hill and surrounded by a beautiful and spacious garden. As a part of the oldest settled area, the trees were high and seemed to shelter it. Several ancient monkey-puzzle trees watched over its main gate.

In order to reach the temple from the access avenue, we had to go up a staircase made of logs and stones. The walls of the chapel were made of stone and the pyramidal roof was covered with black Patagonian cypress tiles.

The tower housed the bell and some stained glass with religious motifs ornamented the side windows. It was built in 1936 as part of the plan laid out by the National Parks Administration and following the design by architect Alejandro Bustillo, inspired by the Northern European architecture. Noble wood frequently used in Patagonian architecture was used.

We entered in silence not to bother a faithful person who was praying. We praised the job done on the windows. As they let the dim light in, they looked more attractive than from the outside.

Inside, the image of the very white walls and the simple pews was completed with a painting of the Cuzco School. This work is over 200 years old. Besides, the stations of the cross made in ceramic ornamented the sides.

In the same venue but below and outdoors, we found the Lourdes Virgin Grotto. Believers leave their offerings and prayers there. It is a dark place where the image of the virgin stands out surrounded by walls of stone and huge hanging ivy.

That simple environment with authentic esthetic values provided a moment of peace with us. We retired in silence, the same way we had arrived.