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WORLD NEWS Friday 24 OctOber 2025
Alto Vista chapel and its link to Aruba’s origins

According to Etnia Nativa, Antonio de la Vegal called
in the 18th century most of Bernardino Silvester, one of
the inhabitants of Aruba Antonio’s sons with his wife
were indigenous who lived Anna Cathalina Tromp,
on the north coast, one of “neighbors and naturals of
the largest communities the island Aruba” and thus
lived in Alto Vista. they became natives.

As they were very religious, At the end of the eighteen
they had a chief with the century many inhabitants
name of Antonio Silvester the island died as a result of
who guided them in the the black fever epidemic
Christian life and it was he and since people believed
who decided to build a that the Alto Vista area was
stone chapel with a roof the most infected, they be-
of corn rods, which would gan to build their homes
serve as a place of prayer. further south within the
In 1750 it was blessed by Fa- Noord area, so the town of
ther Algamesi who came Noord began to grow into
from Coro-Venezuela and a community till getting its
appointed Domingo Anto- own Church. However re-
nio Silvester as the island’s ligious festivals continued
first prosecutor in the name to be celebrated at this sa-
of the Spanish crown and cred native place, with the desolated, making it hard It is not certain, but it is be- out from the Poz di Noord,
Rome. In 1752 the prosecu- custom of arriving in pro- to imagine that Alto Vista lieved that the two graves a well dug in the sand.
tion passed into the hands cession to Alto Vista. was a town at all. A hun- belong to Antonio Silvester
of Antonio Silvester’s son- dred years later, people and Miguel Alvares, ac- The chapel can be viewed
in-law, Miguel Álvarez, who Two-hundred years after can see the remains of cording to Nooyen. About from basically any point in
continued to guide the pa- the beautiful time of Alto around twenty houses, 50 meters near the chapel the north side, even from
rishioners in their prayers. Vista, people can no lon- some made of stone and there are still the markings Paradera and Sero Plat.
ger see much of the town others of clay. Nowadays, of an old house, where All the historical remains
According to the book, of Alto Vista from 1750. With only around six of these Antonio and Bernardino around the chapel provide
The History of Alto Vista by a lot of work they found houses remain. Silvester would have lived. us with an idea on how the
R.H. Nooyen, it is not known the old foundations of the About 200 meters from the old people of Alto Vista
when Domingo Antonio Sil- Church of the Queen of South of the chapel in the chapel there is a water used to live. Don’t miss the
vester came to Aruba from the Holiest Rosary to build yard two graves can be tank which the locals call opportunity to visit a place
Venezuela. The elders be- a new chapel on the same observed, there was the Tanki Cacique. In the past of historical significance
lieve Antonio was a Span- place. The entire surround- cemetery which father this tank was closed. But with a window to Aruba’s
iard. In 1780, father Joseph ing area was empty and Pablo de Algemesi blessed. mostly water was brought past.q

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

The national park Arikok are a preserved area like programs and fun activities tesy of Michiel Overstee- a part of what Aruba’s na-
comprises almost 18 % of the Bubali Plas which is a is available. gen of the Aruba Birdlife ture has to offer. We can-
the island. Its rugged ter- bird sanctuary. Conservation. This impor- not stress enough to go, see
rain, desert-like hills filled Did you know that four of tant foundation showcases for yourself. The island has
with tall cacti, breathtaking The national park Arikok the in total seven species and builds awareness of the most beautiful beach-
coastline and protected takes you on a memorable of sea turtle lay their eggs Aruba’s birds and other na- es but it is also worthwhile
local flora and fauna wel- journey of the island’s past on Aruba’s beaches? In tive flora and fauna. You to go beyond this and get
come you to be explored. offering unique geological, the national park, a Least may have seen a ‘pink an idea of our entire island.
There is numerous wild- cultural and historical sites. Tern (Sternula antillarum) cloud’ lately at the Bubali Lately there is a discussion
life to discover like for ex- These can all be enjoyed keeps a strict eye on a very or Spanish Lagoon Wet- going on about the effect
ample the sea turtle who and explored either on special event taking place lands areas? It’s most likely certain activities have on
lays his eggs on the park’s your own or during guided below on the beach: a to be Roseate Spoonbills our nature, for example the
beaches. There are more tours. A wide variety of ed- majestic Leatherback (Der- (Ajaia ajaja) or ‘Chucharon ATV vehicles cause a lot of
places on the island that ucational and informative mochelys coriacea) heads Cora’ as they are known in dust, noise and leave tire
back to sea after laying Papiamento. This unusual tracks. Animals live in these
her eggs, while another looking bird forages in shal- areas where the vehicles
nest laid 2 months ago by low muddy water while run, often with high speed
the same female hatches. sweeping its flattened bill and with detrimental con-
A very rare occurrence from side to side to catch sequences to flora and fau-
of daytime nesting and small fish, crustaeceans na. Motorized vehicles are
hatching. Sea turtles pre- and other aquatic inverte- forbidden to drive on the
fer nesting in the cool and brates. The Roseate Spoon- sand dunes in the Northern
dark hours of the night. And bill remains an uncommon part of the island and all
hatchlings usually wait for sight as they are vulnerable beaches in Aruba are for-
the cue of cooling surface to degradation of feeding bidden for any motorized
sand before emerging. and nesting habitats (Wet- vehicle. Treasure our island
lands). (Source: arikok na- to enjoy it like you do: as a
Bubali Magic tional park) tropical and natural para-
This beautiful close-up im- dise. We truly appreciate
age of the pink bird is cour- The affore mentioned is just it!q