Alto Vista Chapel (thumbnail)

Alto Vista Chapel. A small Catholic chapel that stands on the hills above the north shore and to the northeast of the town of Noord, on the island of Aruba. The present chapel at Alto Vista was completed in 1952 and stands in the same location as the original chapel, built by Domingo Silvestre, an Indian from Santa Ana de Coro, Venezuela, in 1750. Early in the 18th century a small group of Indians, who were Catholic, settled this area, probably to avoid the unrest on other parts of the island and maybe because there was a well that supplied brackish water, the reason for this original settlement is not fully understood. Whatever the reason, this handful of Indians began to gather at the spot where the early chapel was later built. In 1816 the chapel was closed and left to the elements. When Aruba was attacked by German submarine in World War II, Catholics in Aruba decided to build a votive chapel at the site of the original chapel at Alto Visa. The city of Santa Ana de Coro was founded in 1527 by Spanish colonists. ... An icon of Aghia Paraskevi with votive offerings hung beside it. ...

Every year in October there is a pilgrimage to Alto Vista. Pilgrim at Mecca A pilgrimage is a term primarily used in religion and spirituality of a long journey or search of great moral significance. ...