Parroquia San Antonio de Padua

The Parish of San Antonio de Padua is the mother church of Capilla del Monte and the very origin of the town: on this site stood the old colonial chapel that ended up giving the town its name. The current church, from the early 20th century, stands out for its striking central octagonal floor plan of almost 18 meters in diameter, its reinforced concrete columns and dome, its Spanish tile roof, and its highly valuable stained glass windows. Inside, a wooden carving of San Antonio brought from Spain in colonial times is preserved, along with an image of the Immaculate from the late 19th century. Located in the very heart of the city, it is both a living place of worship and an unmissable historical visit in the north of Valle de Punilla.

What makes this place unique

• Foundational site that gave Capilla del Monte its name
• Unique central octagonal floor plan of almost 18 meters in diameter
• Wooden carving of San Antonio brought from Spain in colonial times
• Stained glass windows of great artistic value
• Reinforced concrete dome and columns with a Spanish tile roof

A bit of history

The lands where the temple stands today were granted in 1575 to Lucía González Jaimes, daughter of Bartolomé Jaimes, over ancient Comechingones territories. At the beginning of the 18th century, Captain Antonio de Ceballos ordered the building of a first chapel of adobe, stone, and lime at his Estancia de San Antonio, dedicated to San Antonio de Padua. That small 'del monte' chapel was the one that, over time, gave the town its name: when the town became a municipality in 1897, it took the name Capilla del Monte. Toward the end of the 19th century, the old chapel was demolished, and on January 30, 1910, the cornerstone of the current temple was laid, with the presence of Bishop Fray Zenón Bustos. The building, with an octagonal floor plan, was built over the old building and its cemetery, although it was never completed according to the original project, which envisioned a much taller dome and tower.

URI's tips

Make the most of its central location to combine your visit with a stroll along the pedestrian street and the railway station. If you want to experience the church with people and religious life, try to go during a mass; for quiet photos, go early in the morning.

What to bring

Respectful attire for entering the church, water and sun protection if you're walking around the center, and a camera for the stained glass windows and the facade.