Image: Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (Miramar)

Description: One of the buildings most beautiful and historically significant of Miramar, the chapel of our Lady of Lourdes, adorns the entrance to Miramar by the street of the same name. It was designed by the renowned architect Antonín Nechodoma with influence of neo-Gothic style. The grounds were acquired in 1906 and the first stone was placed August 1907, being inaugurated in 1908. Impressive and rare architectural quality for a building of masonry and stone on the island at the beginning of the 20th century, much of its elements could have been ordered by catalog to Europe or United States, usual practice in Puerto Rico since the mid 19th century. These details, its towers, gargoyles, rosettes and stained glass Windows, make the chapel a building unique in our capital city. The Church draws much attention by their architectural features, especially for its gargoyles, that give it a certain air of mystery and elegance. Four gargoyles conspicuously protruding from the corners of the tower. The gargoyles are water pipes odesagues carved in the form of grotesque figure, whether human or animal. The main façade also features a window stained glass with one more small at the top. A Celtic Cross serves as a pinnacle. The lateral facades are modulated based on the structural supports or buttresses. Among them there are Windows with stained glass. The interior is simple and the imposed their presence the stained glass Windows and trim wood. The Chapel is a central nave with gabled roof. The interior is richly decorated with stained glass and crystal that clarify the sunlight that enters from the outside. Among them stands out the stained-glass Jesus and children which covers the posterior part of the chapel. For its architectural design, by the historical moment that represents and because it was designed by architect Antonin Nechodoma, the Lourdes chapel was added to the national register of historic places in Washington, D. C. Restoration in process, for donations please call 787-721-1015
Title: Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (Miramar)
Credit: Own work
Author: Moebiusuibeom-en
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No