Page 8 - aruba-today-20231123

a8 local
Thursday 23 November 2023

Alto Vista chapel and its link to Aruba’s origins

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

Aruba Tourism Authority honors a loyal visitor at Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

The Aruba Tourism Authority recent- Goodwill Ambassador (20>years from home.
ly had the great pleasure of recog- consecutively visiting Aruba)
nizing a Goodwill Ambassador of Emerald Ambassador (35>years Top reasons for returning to Aruba
Aruba. This honoree was honored consecutively visiting Aruba) provided by Mrs. Agro were:
with a certificate acknowledging • Aruba’s Casinos!
her years of visits, loyalty, and love The honoree was: • Aruba’s warm and friendly
for the island of Aruba. Goodwill Ambassador of Aruba people.
Mrs. Camille Agro from New York, • “The resort staff members who
The honor certification is presented United States. I got to know over the years.”
on behalf of the Minister of Tourism • “Spending time with my won-
as a token of appreciation and to Ms. Kimberley Richardson repre- derful group of friends.”
say “Masha Danki” to guests who senting the Aruba Tourism Author- • Aruba’s nice warm weather
have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 ity, and staff members of Marriott and nice sandy beaches.
years or more consecutively. Resort & Stellaris Casino bestowed
the certificate to the honoree, pre- On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Au-
The three honoring levels are as sented her with memorable gifts, thority, we would like to express our
follows: and also thanked her for choosing sincere gratitude and appreciation
Distinguished Visitor (10>years con- Aruba as her best-loved vacation to the honoree for her continued
secutively visiting Aruba) destination, as her home away visits to the “One Happy Island”.q