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The_History_and_Scenery_of_Aruba's_Churches
By Justin Burch
During the colonial period, Aruba and many of her
Caribbean neighbors experienced an influx of immigrants from throughout the world. As
Aruba was once a colony of The Netherlands, the Dutch influence on Aruban culture is still
strong and many current residents are descendants of Dutch colonizers. However, because of
the diversity of peoples that have called this island home, daily life in Aruba continues
to be influenced by African, South American and native Caribbean cultures. Nowhere is this
exciting diversity more apparent than in houses of worship found throughout Aruba. Though
the island remains predominantly Catholic, nearly all of the world's major religions are
represented by the local population. Most importantly for tourists, Aruba features a
wealth of special religious sites where visitors of all faiths can experience peaceful
scenery and explore historic architecture.
One of the most photographed sights in Aruba is the beautiful Chapel of Alto Vista. Resting above the Caribbean Sea on
an incredible bluff, this bright yellow chapel has long been a special destination for
locals and tourists alike. Before you even arrive at the site, the white crosses lining
the road to the chapel - signifying the Catholic Stations of the Cross - will let you know
you've found a uniquely peaceful place. As the chapel was built during colonial times by
both Spaniards and native Indians, the chapel is also referred to as the Pilgrim's Church.
No matter what you call it, the chapel provides one of Aruba's most serene and captivating
experiences.
The Santa Ana Catholic Church, also known as
the Church of Noord, features one of the finest examples of Neo-gothic sculpture in the
Caribbean. The incredible altarpiece was crafted in 1870 by Dutch artisan Hendrik van der
Geld and was met with great accolades at the first Vatican Council, held that same year in
Rome. After spending some time in residence at the Antonius Church in The Netherlands, the
altarpiece was given to the Santa Ana Church in Aruba. The Santa Ana Catholic Church was
first constructed in 1776 and was rebuilt twice in the 19th century. The church was last
renovated in 1916 and today remains one of the island's most important buildings. Located
just outside of Aruba's capital of Oranjestad, the Santa Ana Catholic Church is a
fascinating piece of the island's history that can be enjoyed by visitors of all faiths.
While the Santa Ana Catholic Church and the Chapel of Alto Vista were first constructed
in the 18th century, Aruba's Protestant Church represents
the island's oldest original house of worship. Erected in 1846 to support Aruba's growing
Protestant population, the elegant church is known for its terracotta roof, large tower
and traditional wooden shutters. As the exterior is also adorned with simplistic folk-art
decorations including hearts and stars, the church is often compared to the finest
structures of Pennsylvania Dutch country. Though the Protestant Church is usually locked,
visitors can explore the grounds - including the quaint Bible museum - each weekday from
10am to 12pm.
Jewish families visiting Aruba often visit the Beth Israel Synagogue, a pleasant house
of worship dating to the early 20th century. While the Jewish population in Aruba numbers
only 35 families today, the synagogue was once an important cultural center for Caribbean
and European immigrants. However, over the years, the Beth Israel Synagogue has become an
important destination for travelers. Today, most of the families visiting the synagogue
for Friday night services are tourists enjoying a spiritual home away from home. The Beth
Israel Synagogue also features a small gift shop that sells a variety of uniquely Aruban
Judaica.
While many of the churches of Aruba are certainly worth a visit, one of the most
interesting religious sights on the island is the Lourdes Grotto. Located just off the
picturesque leading from San Nicolas to the northeastern coast, the Lourdes Grotto is
located in one of Aruba's most peaceful locales. In 1958, a priest and his parishioners
carefully tucked a statue of the Virgin Mary weighing several hundred pounds into the
blackened hillside known as Seroe Preto. Much like the famous Catholic landmark in France
from which the grotto borrows its name, this hillside shrine has become an important
destination for locals and tourists alike. Each year on the feast day of Our Lady of
Lourdes (February 11), a large procession of local Catholic and curious visitors embark on
a procession from the St. Theresita Church in San Nicolas to hold mass at Lourdes Grotto.
As the island of Aruba has recently passed a marriage law allowing travelers to wed on
the island, these unique religious landmarks have also become the sites for many beautiful
ceremonies. While the best of resorts in Aruba are able to provide accommodations and
lavish receptions, many of these houses of worship can offer visiting couples an
opportunity to celebrate their union in a peaceful and spiritual environment. While it may
not be possible to wed in some of Aruba's churches, couples hoping to tie the knot on the
island can contact their resort and work with a wedding specialist to secure the best
location for their ceremony.
Whether you want to attend services or simply see some unique historical sites, the
churches of Aruba welcome all visitors with open arms. As many of the island's houses of
worship sit in remarkably peaceful locales, tourists can also take time to relax and
witness incredible scenery. Regardless of your faith, the churches of Aruba provide some
of the most captivating sights on the island.
Justin Burch writes articles about travel
in Aruba for the Marriott Resorts.
Visit Some of the Caribbean's Most Unique
Residents at the Aruba_Donkey_Sanctuary
By Justin Burch
Just as the European colonizers brought many non-native
plants to the Caribbean, donkeys were transported from Spain to provide transportation and
serve in new industries. The passive, loyal animals were used in Aruba for centuries until
automobiles were introduced in the 20th century. Though some locals continued using
donkeys throughout the 1900s, many of the animals were callously discarded to roam free
across the island. For decades, several herds of donkeys survived in the wild until much
of the population was plagued by disease in the 1970s. With only 20 wild donkeys
remaining, volunteers stepped in and began developing programs to aid these unique
residents and preserve the population for future generations. However, in recent decades,
the revitalized donkey population has been plagued by new threats, including a growing
population on the island and a rapidly-expanding tourism industry. While Aruba's tourism
industry certainly allowed the local economy to flourish and brought many exciting
advancements to the island, the donkey population fell victim to more accidents and
encroachment upon their adopted habitat. Yet, just as volunteers stepped in after many of
the donkeys fell ill in the 1970s, a new organization was developed in the 1990s to offer
the donkeys a safe home.
Founded in 1997, the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary has now provided
much-needed care to local donkeys for over a decade. In addition to providing a safe home
for adult donkeys, this popular non-profit organization has also been active in supporting
a new generation of donkeys, allowing locals and tourists alike an opportunity to interact
with these passive animals for years to come. A close-knit family of 90 donkeys shares the
facility's "Curucu di Burico" - the Donkey Field - where visitors can feed and
pet many of the animals from the enclosed patio. In the early morning hours, visiting
children are also granted an opportunity to work behind the scenes with the volunteer
staff, feeding and grooming the animals. Admission to the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is free
for all ages, as the non-profit facility relies solely on donations and funds generated
from local donkey adoption programs.
As donkeys are incredibly resilient animals and require very
little to survive in the wild, there are still families of wild donkeys roaming the island
outside of the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary. Though there are still far fewer donkeys in Aruba
than the 1,400 counted at the beginning of the 20th century, the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary
has helped to the wild donkey population climb above 100 once again. Nearly all of the
wild donkeys in Aruba travel in groups, including the largest families of 9 and 11 animals
that roam the natural areas near the sanctuary. While these groups of donkeys are often
spotted near the Natural Bridge and the Tunnel of Love Cave - two popular natural
attractions on the northern side of the island - those interested in seeing these animals
in the wild can get more information regarding their recent whereabouts from the Aruba
Donkey Sanctuary.
The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is easy to reach from Oranjestad and
other resort areas as the facility rests near a number of popular outdoor destinations.
Following the northern road to the Natural Bridge, visitors will see several large signs
near the Ayo Rock Formations that provide easy directions to the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary.
Travelers that want to experience some of Aruba's popular destinations as part of a guided
tour will also have a chance to see the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary, as most operators visit
the facility when touring the northern end of the island. The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is
open to visitors on weekdays from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and on weekends from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Though Aruba's donkeys initially seemed forgotten amongst the
island's expansive tourism plans, the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary now provides the perfect
balance of preservation and one-of-a-kind sightseeing. As crowds of visitors from
throughout the world pass through the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary each year and help support
the organization's programs, the centuries-old donkey population has, in fact, become one
of the great triumphs of the island's tourism industry. When touring the picturesque north
end of the island, families can revel in this unique history by paying a visit to the
animals that silently helped make Aruba what it is today.
To learn more about Aruba, visit our other Aruba Pages.
To learn about the other islands in the Caribbean, visit our Island Adventures Page
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