Weekly Snapshot: Capilla del Cristo

Capilla del Cristo – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

This is Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud (Chapel of Christ the Savior) located at the south end of Cristo Street in Old San Juan.  Commonly referred to as Capilla del Cristo, this unassuming stone and brick chapel (in background of picture) was built in 1753-1780 on top of the fortress walls that once protected the old city. Cristo Chapel is hallowed ground for those who believe in a Higher Power.

Before the Chapel was built, anyone venturing toward this end of Cristo Street needed to be careful, or else they could fall off the towering wall to their death.

Legend traces the origin of this chapel to a miraculous happening at the site.  According to popular belief, Baltazar Montañez y Mújica found himself one day riding aboard a runaway horse heading straight toward the end of the street.  As hard as he tried, he could not get the horse to stop. As the steep drop drew closer, the man prayed to God, begging for salvation.  At the very last instant, the horse suddenly stopped.  Today the Chapel sits directly on the spot where the horse stopped.

Even though this Chapel is not one of the most popular sights for tourists, it is very popular among locals.  Right next to it sits Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park) where kids love to go to feed the hundreds of pigeons that reside at the park.