Small Chapel of the Assumption

Regardless of believing in any religion in particular, human beings are moved whenever we visit a temple, a church or a chapel. 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 experienced that feeling of meditation as we entered the Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin in Villa La Angostura. Nestled on a hill, quite visible and with a very neat garden, it is surrounded by old species and various monkey-puzzle trees that watch over its main gate. We went up a staircase made of logs and stones until we reached the entrance. The chapel is made of stone and its pyramidal roof is covered with black Patagonian cypress tiles. It looks very solid and imposing in spite of its small size.

We could see the bell inside the tower and some stain glass with religious motifs ornamented the side windows. The chapel 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. At the time it was built, the use of local materials was privileged in order to manage a harmonious set. 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. We devoted some minutes to beholding 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. Both details provided coziness and value to the simplicity inside the chapel. As we were leaving, we discovered another site of prayer in the same lawn but a little bit below the chapel. The Lourdes Virgin Grotto is dark and very small. It was made of stone and protected by huge hanging ivy. The image of the Virgin, some chandeliers and flowers left there by the faithful make this place stand out. We left the chapel through the back exit, where visitors may park their cars. We retired in silence, the same way we had arrived.

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