Hello, Hello, architecture lovers, as always it is a pleasure to share with you a new experience, admiring architecture and civil works in general. In my last posts I have been sharing my adventure traveling the trans-Andean road of Merida, an incredible trip, where I not only managed to enjoy nature, but also the beautiful villages of the páramo and its architecture, being this the protagonist of our fifth stop.
Around 2 pm we arrived at San Rafael de Mucuchíes, the highest town in Venezuela, a picturesque town with a great human warmth. San Rafael is located at 3140 meters above sea level and here the cold becomes more intense. The main tourist attraction is the beautiful stone chapel.
Hola, Hola, amantes de la arquitectura, como siempre es un placer compartir con ustedes una nueva experiencia, admirando la arquitectura y las obras civiles en general. En mis últimos posts he estado compartiendo mi aventura recorriendo la carretera trasandina de Mérida, un viaje increíble, donde no solo logré disfrutar de la naturaleza, sino también de los bellos pueblos del páramo y su arquitectura, siendo esta la protagonista de nuestra quinta parada.
Cerca de las 2 de la tarde llegamos a San Rafael de Mucuchíes el pueblo más alto de Venezuela, un pueblo pintoresco con una gran calidez humana. San Rafael está ubicado a 3140 msnm y aquí el frío se hace más intenso. El principal atractivo turístico es la hermosa capilla de piedra.
An incredible work, with a great history, which, together with the majestic natural surroundings, create a space that cannot go unnoticed. This work consecrated Juan Félix Sánchez as the popular architect of the páramo, and he, with his own hands and effort, made one of his greatest dreams come true, to build this church, next to his mother's house.
According to tourist guides and this article, the chapel was founded about 40 years ago, being the first work of this important personage for the region. About 10 years later, he replicated this work in a town called Tisure, where he had his house, but according to the tour guides, it would take about 4 hours walking to get there.
Upon arriving at the chapel, the first thing I admired was its facade, it is incredible how he gave it such a spectacular shape, only using river stones, cement, corals and seashells, its symmetrical facade culminates with a star, and below it we have the bell tower, consisting of three arched windows. All this is supported by 6 stone columns joined in an arch. This front is beautiful and so far I have not seen anything like it.
Una obra increíble, con una gran historia, que, junto al majestuoso entorno natural, crean un espacio que no puede pasar desapercibido. Esta obra consagró a Juan Félix Sánchez como el arquitecto popular del páramo y es que él, con sus propias manos y esfuerzo, hizo uno de sus más grandes sueños realidad, construir esta iglesia, al lado de su casa materna.
Según los guías turísticos y este articulo, la capilla fue fundada hace unos 40 años, siendo la primera obra de este personaje tan importante para la región. Unos 10 años después, él replicó esta obra en un pueblo llamado Tisure, donde tenía su casa, pero según los guías turísticos, llegar hasta allá nos tomaría unas 4 horas caminando.
Al llegar a la capilla, lo primero que admire fue su fachada, es increíble como él le dio esta forma tan espectacular, solo usando piedras de río, cemento, corales y conchas marinas, Su fachada simétrica culmina con una estrella, y debajo de ella tenemos el campanario, compuesto por tres ventanales en arco. Todo esto está sostenido sobre 6 columnas de piedra unidas en arco. Este frente es hermoso y hasta el momento no he visto algo igual.
Under a gabled roof, of caña brava and clay tile, we have the interior of the chapel, with a very simple floor plan, rectangular in shape. Although it was closed, through its bars and windows, we were able to admire its interior.
Bajo un techo de dos aguas, de caña brava y teja de arcilla, tenemos el interior de la capilla, con una planta muy sencilla, de forma rectangular. Aunque estaba cerrada, a través de sus rejas y ventanas, logramos admirar su interior.
Inside there are several sculptures in honor of the Virgin of Coromoto, also made by this Venezuelan artist, but besides this, here lie the remains of Juan Félix Sánchez and his wife Epifania Gil. In the photos we appreciate the two tombs, covered with a marble tombstone and a biography of each one of them.
En el interior se aprecian distintas esculturas en honor a la Virgen de Coromoto, elaboradas también por este artista venezolano, pero además de esto, aquí reposan los restos de Juan Félix Sánchez y su esposa Epifania Gil. En las fotos apreciamos las dos tumbas, cubiertas con una lápida de mármol y una biografía de cada una de ellas.
The chapel furniture is made of wood, with simple designs and we can see that the floor is also made of stones, but in this case I use flagstones, more elongated and flat stones.
Everywhere you look, you will find stone, which is also one of the most durable and resistant materials we can use in construction. An example of this is the enormous retaining wall that supports the land where the church is located.
El mobiliario de la capilla es de madera, con diseños sencillos y podemos ver que el piso es también de piedras, pero en este caso uso lajas, piedras más alargadas y planas.
Por donde quieras que mires, encontrarás la piedra, que además es uno de los materiales más duraderos y resistentes que podamos usar en la construcción. Una muestra de ello es el enorme muro de contención que sostiene el terreno donde se emplaza la iglesia.
Talking to the locals, we learned that it was recently restored, where they replaced some stones and part of the roof, keeping the original design. One of the new things I found was the sculpture of José Félix Sánchez. A bust on a stone pedestal and a heart with the colors of the tricolor flag.
Hablando con los lugareños, nos enteramos de que fue restaurada hace poco, donde sustituyeron algunas piedras y parte del techo, manteniendo el diseño original. Una de las cosas nuevas que encontré fue la escultura a José Félix Sánchez. Un busto sobre un pedestal en piedra y un corazón con los colores de la bandera tricolor.
Another sculpture that is also recent is this monument in homage to a priest of the region. A bust sculpted in stone, taller, located in a corner of the viewpoint.
Otra escultura que también es reciente es este monumento en homenaje a un sacerdote de la región. Un busto esculpido en piedra, más alto, ubicado en una esquina del mirador.
The Museum of the Andes
Next to the stone chapel is the museum of the Andes, which bears the name of his parents "Benigno and Vicenta Sanchez", this was the maternal home of Juan Felix and is a sample of the typical architecture found in the Andean villages. Low houses, with clay tile roofs, picturesque and cozy. The museum, being Sunday, was closed, but here you can see old objects of the region and learn more about the history of the town and this iconic family.
Al lado de la capilla de piedra, se encuentra el museo de los Andes, que lleva el nombre de sus padres "Benigno y Vicenta Sánchez", esta era la casa materna de Juan Félix y es una muestra de la arquitectura típica que encontramos en los pueblos andinos. Casas de baja altura, con techos de tejas de arcilla, pintorescas, y acogedoras. El museo, por ser domingo, estaba cerrado, pero aquí se pueden conocer objetos antiguos de la región y conocer más de la historia del pueblo y de esta familia icónica.
In honor of Juan Felix and his wife, a public library was built in front of the chapel, with a more modern architecture and a half-wall stone covering.
En honor a Juan Félix y su esposa, se construyó una biblioteca pública al frente de la capilla, con una arquitectura más moderna y un recubrimiento de piedras a media pared.
In the surroundings of the chapel, you can find restaurants, craft sales, and you can enjoy beautiful landscapes, without a doubt, this stop has everything to enjoy a pleasant and different time.
This is one of my favorite churches, I am glad I had the opportunity to admire it again and share these photos with you. If you ever travel to Merida, I invite you to visit it, I'm sure you will love it.
En los alrededores de la capilla, encuentras restaurantes, ventas de artesanía, y puedes disfrutar de paisajes hermosos, sin duda, esta parada lo tiene todo para disfrutar de un rato agradable y diferente.
Esta es una de mis iglesias favoritas, me alegra haber tenido la oportunidad de admirarla de nuevo y compartir estas fotos con ustedes. Si en alguna oportunidad viajas a Mérida, te invito a visitarla, seguro te encantara.
Until next time, a million blessings to your families.
Hasta la próxima, un millón de bendiciones a sus familias.
Fotografías:@doriangel
Edición: Canva(Recursós y Plantillas Gratis)
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Photographs:@doriangel
Editing: Canva(Free Resources and Templates)
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Complement the information thanks to the verbal information from the tour guides, the tour organizing agency (eco-travel Merida), the locals and this article web..
Complemente la información gracias a la información verbal de los guías turísticos de la agencia organizadora del tour (eco-travel Mérida), los lugareños y este artículo web..
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Hi @doriangel that's truly an incredible stone structure. It's religious value is precious.
It was indeed very informative post.
Yes, it is a piece of great religious and cultural value. Thank you very much.
What a great landscape all full of mountains, very different from the region where I live.
I loved that stone church, very simple and that is precisely what makes it beautiful. The history of the architecture of the place and the architect who designed and built the church is very interesting.
Cheers!
Yes, the history of the chapel gives it great value, it is also beautiful. The mountains in that area are magnificent. Thank you very much. I'm glad you liked it. Blessings.
This church is an icon of the state of Merida. I was always curious to see it, but I never got to go there. Thanks for sharing such nice pictures and for the excellent explanation about its origin and construction.
Amiga, I hope you get that chance, when you return to the country. Thank you very much.
not only unique but the views are also beautiful @doriangel
The view is beautiful, you're right. Thank you very much!
I am really amazed by people who can make work with simple materials but it can be very beautiful, like what you are telling me about.
If they have a lot of ingenuity and creativity. Juan Felix Sanchez was a great artist.
Que bella publicación amiga, todo lindo en ese paseo, esa capilla es muy linda así como su historia.
También tuve el gusto de visitarla, incluso hay partes que solo es piedra sin ningún tipo de pegamento, algo muy extraño que se ha mantenido en el tiempo.
Yes amiga, we were told that some of those stones were replaced because visitors were taking them away. Seriously, I couldn't believe that someone would do something like that.
Es una lástima, yo misma vi como estaban ahí solo puestas una sobre otra.
Imagínate yo fui hace 17 años.
También entre al museo que está al lado.
Oh wow! this is a great place! I've always wanted to go there girlfriend, I hope I can do it someday, you got the essence of the place.
Thanks for sharing!😀
Thank you very much, I did my best to capture its beauty. I hope you come soon and enjoy it.
Tuve la oportunidad de visitarla y es sorprendente con pocos materiales y su mano de obra pudo construir una estructura tan solida, la altura, los arcos todo esta en perfecta armonía, es un lugar maravilloso como todos los pueblitos del paramo tan bellos tranquilos y gente tan educada y amable, yo también quisiera visitarla nuevamente algo que planeo hacer muy pronto.
I think that's the fascinating thing, that with few materials I can achieve a beautiful structure. I'm glad you met her and I hope you come back soon. Thank you very much.
Hi @doriangel, the stone chapel is beautiful, I like the setting is lovely, thank you for sharing your visit to this outstanding place in the country. 🌸🌻🌷
Greetings!
Thanks to you for visiting my post. Regards.
Tengo muchísimo tiempo que no voy para Mérida, como extraño esa tierra fría pero de gente tan cálida. En lo personal, desde pequeño siempre me ha dado como un mal aire esa iglesia, o sea, no es un mal aire pero inexplicablemente cuando entras a la capilla como tal se siente muuuuuucho más frío que fuera o sus alrededores, eso me da como miedo jaja
Del resto siempre me ha parecido muy curiosa y diría que me inspira a veces cuando proyecto
It's very curious, but I understand you, because in my school, which is a concrete building, it's very cold, it's cold inside and you go out and it's hot outside. I went in many years ago, I don't remember if I noticed that, this time it was closed. I hope you come back soon. Thank you very much.
The chapel is like a cave, a beautiful and clean place.
Yes, it's true as a cave. It is very pretty and they keep it nice. They visit it a lot. Thank you very much.
Wow - the chapel is beautiful. I love its simplicity inside !
Yes precious, a sample that in the simple we can also find beauty.
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What happiness and pride, this chapel is a great landmark of the Andean region and I dreamed of being able to share it. I am glad to have this opportunity. Thank you very much and happy week. Blessings.
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