Page 9 - AHATA

A7
LOCAL Monday 26 February 2024

Alto Vista chapel and its link to Aruba’s origins

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

The Aruba Tourism Authority honors a loyal visitor at

Divi Dutch Village!

The Aruba Tourism Author- visits, loyalty, and love for guests who have visited For more than six decades, away from home.
ity recently had the great the island of Aruba. Aruba 10, 20, or 35 years or Mr. McLennan has made
pleasure of recognizing an more consecutively. Aruba his recurring destina- Top reasons for returning
Emerald Ambassador of The honor certification is tion, marking over 63 years to Aruba provided by Mr.
Aruba. This lovely gentle- presented on behalf of the The three honoring levels of cherished visits to the is- McLennan were:
man was respectively hon- Minister of Tourism as a to- are as follows: land. His enduring loyalty • Aruba’s warm
ored with a certificate ac- ken of appreciation and and profound affection for weather.
knowledging his years of to say “Masha Danki” to Distinguished Visitor Aruba are nothing short of • Aruba’s friendly
(10>years consecutively remarkable, illuminating people.
visiting Aruba) the depth of his attach- • Aruba’s great res-
Goodwill Ambassador ment to this beautiful island. taurants and bars.
(20>years consecutively • Divi’s hospitable
visiting Aruba) Ms. Marouska Heyliger rep- staff.
Emerald Ambassador resenting the Aruba Tourism • Aruba’s beautiful
(35>years consecutively Authority, and staff mem- clean beaches.
visiting Aruba) bers of the Divi Dutch Vil-
lage bestowed the certifi- On behalf of the Aruba
The honoree was: cate to the honoree, pre- Tourism Authority, we would
sented him with memora- like to express our sincere
Emerald Ambassador ble gifts, and also thanked gratitude and apprecia-
Mr. James McLennan from him for choosing Aruba as tion to the honoree for his
New York, United States. his best-loved vacation continued visits to the “One
destination, as his home Happy Island”.