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LOCAL Monday 10 July 2023

The two graves of Alto Vista

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

Why You Should Not Miss Aruba’s Free City Center Street Car Tour

ORANJESTAD - Aruba’s an. There are two trolleys, list. The third stop on the
City Center Street Car - a single-deck one with 42 route is close to a 5-minute
or as we call it in Dutch; seats and a double-decker walk to the famous Renais-
“Tram van Oranjestad’ - is with 64 seats. The line was sance Marina showcasing
a single track tram line in inspired by the popular luxurious yachts and Aru-
Oranjestad, the capital battery-powered streetcar ba’s blue waters.
city of Aruba. It was inau- operation at the Grove in
gurated on 22 December Los Angeles, USA. Aruba’s The “Tram van Oranjestad”
2012, being the first and so streetcars are powered by starts from a balloon loop
far the only passenger rail hydrogen fuel cells, which near the Port of Call and
service on Aruba and the are charged by the island’s town area with a picture marked. The tram will bring serves the downtown area
rest of the Dutch Caribbe- year-round trade winds. perfect scenery of the is- you close to different mu- and ends at Plaza Nicky.
land’s clear blue skies. Who seums, historical plazas, The first ride starts at 10:00
Caya Betico Croes, mostly would not enjoy a ride on monuments, the Protestant am sharp with intervals of
referred to as our “main this beautiful and naturally church, Aruba’s high- end 25minutes. The last trolley
street” has been devel- air-conditioned vehicle? mall, retail shops, and a va- departs from the cruise port
oped into a pollution-free The tour consists of a total riety of local and interna- at 5:00pm. Don’t miss this
pedestrian mall. The dou- of 9 stops approximately tional cuisine restaurants. tour of the beautiful Aru-
ble-decker offers you a 360 200 meters apart from each The “I love Aruba” trade- ba’s City Center– it is free
degree view of the down other; all stops are clearly mark also belongs to that for all!q