English versión
One of the things that excites me most about architecture is seeing valuable buildings restored. It is as if they are reborn, coming to life again. In this way their history takes on a much deeper meaning, connecting the past with the present and preserving their legacy. This is what I felt when I visited the church of Santo Tomás de Villanueva y San Charbel, a place that had been in a remarkable state of disrepair for many years and now looks magnificent and renovated.
This chapel is located on 5th Avenue and 17th Street in Reparto Flores, Havana, Cuba. It belonged to the former Catholic University of Villanueva, whose facilities are adjacent to the church. Nowadays these facilities function as a middle school.
I studied in this place some time after it became part of the Cuban education system. I remember this chapel as a destroyed place, almost in ruins. Part of the roof had fallen in and its windows were shuttered, and from its broken boards you could see a rather dilapidated interior. It also functioned as a kind of warehouse where things were kept.
I read in an article that after a long time the Cuban government returned this facility to the church, and after that the restoration work began.
The most remarkable thing for me is the main entrance, which has three sequences of semicircular arches ascending on the capitals of three columns. Each arch has its surface decorated with different ornamentation, geometric figures, plants and flowers.
Framed in one of these arches is the coat of arms of the Order of Saint Augustine, to which the founders of the University and the chapel belonged. In Latin is written the phrase Tolle Lege, which means Take and Read, and is associated with St. Augustine and his conversion to Christianity.
This was something I was unaware of and which I discovered by informing myself about this church. That is why I appreciate the details every time I visit a place, because its structure and design always tell a story that I can learn from.
The interior is very spacious with its characteristic row of wooden benches reaching almost to the front door. The ceiling also has wooden beams and the whole interior gives a very pleasant feeling of warmth and harmony.
On one side of the altar there was a representation of the birth of Jesus with the Christmas tree, and on the walls the images of the saints after whom the church is named. Two life-size sculptures of these same saints guard the entrance to the chapel.
The whole place was decorated with Christmas lights highlighting the spirituality and joy of this Catholic holiday. This church is very beautiful, both inside and outside with its large tower that can always be identified from a distance.
I share with you a picture of the place in daylight so that you can better appreciate its splendour.
I hope you enjoy the place and the publication.
Versión en Español
Una de las cosas que más me entusiasma de la arquitectura es ver edificaciones valiosas restauradas. Es como si renacieran, volviendo a vivir nuevamente. De esta manera su historia adquiere un significado mucho más profundo conectando el pasado con el presente y conservando su legado. Esto fue lo que sentí cuando visité la iglesia de Santo Tomás de Villanueva y San Charbel, un lugar que llevaba muchos años en un notable estado de deterioro y ahora luce magnifica y renovada.
Esta capilla se encuentra en la 5ta avenida y la calle 17 del Reparto Flores, en La Habana, Cuba. La misma perteneció a la antigua Universidad Católica de Villanueva, cuyas instalaciones se encuentran contiguas a la iglesia. Actualmente estas instalaciones funcionan como una escuela de enseñanza media.
Yo estudié en este lugar tiempo después de que pasó a formar parte del sistema de educación de Cuba. Recuerdo esta capilla como un lugar destruido, casi en ruinas. Una parte del techo se había caído y sus ventanas estaban clausuradas y desde sus tablones rotos se podía ver un interior bastante deteriorado. También funcionaba como una especie de depósito donde se guardaban cosas.
Leí en un artículo que después de mucho tiempo el gobierno cubano le devolvió a la iglesia esta instalación, y después de eso fue cuando comenzó la labor de restauración.
Lo más notable para mí es su entrada principal, en la que se encuentran tres secuencias de arcos de medio punto que van ascendiendo sobre los capiteles de tres columnas. Cada arco tiene decorada su superficie con diferentes ornamentaciones, figuras geométricas, plantas y flores.
Enmarcado en uno de estos arcos se encuentra el escudo de la Orden de San Agustín, a la que pertenecieron los fundadores de la Universidad y la capilla. En latín está escrita la frase Tolle Lege, que significa Toma y Lee, y está asociada a San Agustín y su conversión al cristianismo.
Esto era algo que desconocía y que descubrí informándome sobre esta iglesia. Es por eso que aprecio mucho los detalles cada vez que visito un lugar, porque su estructura y diseño siempre cuentan una historia de la que puedo aprender.
El interior es muy amplio con su característica fila de bancos de madera que llegan casi hasta la puerta de entrada. El techo también tiene vigas de madera y todo el interior da una sensación de calidez y armonía muy agradables.
A un lado del altar había una representación del nacimiento de Jesús con el árbol navideño, y en las paredes las imágenes de los santos que dan nombre a la iglesia. Dos esculturas en tamaño natural de estos mismos santos custodian la entrada a la capilla
Todo el lugar estaba adornado con luces navideñas destacando la espiritual y la alegría de esta festividad católica. Esta iglesia es muy bella, tanto por dentro como por fuera con su gran torre que se puede identificar siempre desde la distancia.
Les comparto una fotografía del lugar a la luz del día para que se pueda apreciar mejor su esplendor.
Espero que disfruten del lugar y la publicación.
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Que bonita quedó la iglesia, me alegro mucho hay muchos lugares potencialmente hermoso que se están perdiendo por falta de atención y restauración, gracias por traernos este hermoso post
How beautiful the church was, I am very glad there are many potentially beautiful places that are being lost for lack of attention and restoration, thank you for bringing us this beautiful post
Thank you for stopping by and commenting
Cheers!
Muy buen post. Me gusto lo elegante y sencillo dtl diseño de portada que anuncia toda la otra belleza del teco y el apoyo fotográfico que también delsta una avisada mirada detrás del lente.
Felicidades
Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting, I'm glad you liked the publication.
The restoration brought it back to life, that's great. This is a fine architectural display. Thank you!!
Yes, the place has really been reborn, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Cheers!
When I see such a place restored to its splendour I am filled with hope. Thank you for showing us this chapel and also for the investigative work you did so that we could also learn as we accompanied you on the visit.
May this year end for you with a good balance and summary of what you have experienced and may the next one be better by far.
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Hiya, @lauramica here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2420.
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Me da mucho gusto leer su publicación. Es muy gratificante ver cómo se ha restaurado esa edificación icónica de la arquitectura eclesiástica. Ojalá ocurra lo mismo con otras muchas existentes en el interior del país.
Saludos reiterados
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📸👍
What a beautiful church both inside and out. I like the warm color of the facade. The temple is an ideal place to visit and get in touch with faith in God. Beautiful enclosure.
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