Page 11 - aruba-today-20230929

a11
local Friday 29 September 2023
Alto Vista chapel and its link to Aruba’s origins

custom of arriving in pro-
cession to Alto Vista.

Two-hundred years after
the beautiful time of Alto
Vista, people can no lon-
ger see much of the town
of Alto Vista from 1750. With
a lot of work they found
the old foundations of the
Church of the Queen of
the Holiest Rosary to build there are still the markings
a new chapel on the same of an old house, where
place. The entire surround- Antonio and Bernardino
ing area was empty and Silvester would have lived.
desolated, making it hard About 200 meters from the
According to Etnia Nativa, nio Silvester as the island’s Anna Cathalina Tromp, to imagine that Alto Vista chapel there is a water
in the 18th century most of first prosecutor in the name “neighbors and naturals of was a town at all. A hun- tank which the locals call
the inhabitants of Aruba of the Spanish crown and the island Aruba” and thus dred years later, people Tanki Cacique. In the past
were indigenous who lived Rome. In 1752 the prosecu- they became natives. can see the remains of this tank was closed. But
on the north coast, one of tion passed into the hands around twenty houses, mostly water was brought
the largest communities of Antonio Silvester’s son- At the end of the eighteen some made of stone and out from the Poz di Noord,
lived in Alto Vista. in-law, Miguel Álvarez, who century many inhabitants others of clay. Nowadays, a well dug in the sand.
continued to guide the pa- the island died as a result of only around six of these
As they were very religious, rishioners in their prayers. the black fever epidemic houses remain. The chapel can be viewed
they had a chief with the and since people believed from basically any point in
name of Antonio Silvester According to the book, that the Alto Vista area was South of the chapel in the the north side, even from
who guided them in the The History of Alto Vista by the most infected, they be- yard two graves can be Paradera and Sero Plat.
Christian life and it was he R.H. Nooyen, it is not known gan to build their homes observed, there was the All the historical remains
who decided to build a when Domingo Antonio Sil- further south within the cemetery which father around the chapel provide
stone chapel with a roof vester came to Aruba from Noord area, so the town of Pablo de Algemesi blessed. us with an idea on how the
of corn rods, which would Venezuela. The elders be- Noord began to grow into It is not certain, but it is be- old people of Alto Vista
serve as a place of prayer. lieve Antonio was a Span- a community till getting its lieved that the two graves used to live. Don’t miss the
In 1750 it was blessed by Fa- iard. In 1780, father Joseph own Church. However re- belong to Antonio Silvester opportunity to visit a place
ther Algamesi who came Antonio de la Vegal called ligious festivals continued and Miguel Alvares, ac- of historical significance
from Coro-Venezuela and Bernardino Silvester, one of to be celebrated at this sa- cording to Nooyen. About with a window to Aruba’s
appointed Domingo Anto- Antonio’s sons with his wife cred native place, with the 50 meters near the chapel past.q

Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

(Oranjestad)—Amongst the countless beaches ceive a wristband as proof of payment. Once
surrounding the island that are well-known and you’ve completed that, you are set!
frequently visited, there are an additional two
“hidden” natural pools that are situated in the If you decide to hike from the entrance of the
northern coast of the island, two ideal stops in Arikok National Park, this is also possible: do
your tour itinerary. bring plenty of protective clothing and enough
water and food—it could take you up to three
Conchi (Natural Pool) hours to hike there!
For many years, Conchi was the only natural
pool that we had on the island. Located in the However, when you eventually do get there,
Arikok National Park, near Boca Keto and the you will be greeted with crystal blue water sur-
Daimari Ranch, Conchi—also known “Cura di rounded by a natural rock formation that pro- of vehicle, and there is no hiking needed. This
Turtuga (Turtle’s Cove) or just Natural Pool— tects you from the wild waves on the other side. spot has also become a regular stop for touring
is reachable with any 4x4 vehicle or by foot if Though the pool is located on the northern side visitors.
you’re up for a long hike. However, since it is of the island (where the sea is largely rough and
part of the National Park, you must first get per- largely no suitable for swimming), the pool itself When you get there, maybe you won’t be able
mission from park management to enter. You is very calm. It’s also relatively deep, and you to spot the pool immediately, because you
would have to purchase a day pass, and re- can climb up the rocks and jump in! will probably notice the moon-shaped lagoon
where wild northern waves crash into each
Cave Pool other. Sounds scary, but if you look down on
This relatively new pool appeared just a few your right, you’ll see a calm, crystal blue little
years ago, when a part of the dried up coral pool in the corner. To get there, you have to
floor broke off and created a partition between climb down some stairs. Be careful when climb-
the ocean and what is now the natural pool ing down and follow the instructions of your tour
that is hidden there. Because it’s still so new, guide if you have one.
there is no official name for it, but most people
just call it the cave pool. And just like Conchi, this pool also has a jumping
spot, and a rope to climb back up the boulder.
Just like the Conchi, the new natural pool is situ-
ated on the northern coast of Aruba. However, Picture of cave pool is credited to RockaBeach
this pool is much easier to reach with any type Tours