Sea Chapel. Stella Maris

The Stella Maris pilgrimage chapel is located on the stretch of Route No.11 linking the famous summer town of Mar del Plata with the city of Miramar. The site of the chapel sits specifically in an area on the side of a cliff facing the Atlantic Ocean giving it spectacular views.

The idea is found in a chapel that emulates a stone grotto. From this point one advances on the beach to first welcome the faithful who arrive from the city on a pilgrimage. Here stands the Cross of Christ within the Sea in front of the virgin and the Chapel.

From the upper access one can then proceed along the route, and descend downward along two curved stairs placed on each side of the chapel. Here one can seek calm and meet the image of Stella Maris, while her eyes are lost on the horizon. At this spot the majestic landscape invites one to contemplate, to meditate, and to speak to God.

Prior to entering the chapel, we then cross the Atrium, in a polygonal form giving a strong and illuminated sense of vertical space. A multicolored glass skylight adds a special character to that space and prepares us for a contact with God. There a pile of holy marble water greets us on the side of the atrium.

Once we enter the chapel a special atmosphere is perceived, to where the view focuses towards the Altar and to where, imposing behind it, is the son's cross that rises with the horizon setting against the background of the sea.

A Raja on the roof of the chapel then lets us connect with the sky while at the same time also functions to allow in rainwater, echoes, and the noise of the waves that are heard breaking break on the shore. All of this collaborates with the desired character of the place, the seagulls, the wind, and generates an atmosphere of contact with the total nature of unparalleled conditions.

The fully triangular nave of the chapel plus the triangles sculpted on its side walls encourages us to speak face to face with God and invites us to feel like a disciple. The cross that stands in the Sea is intended to link heaven with the earth and invites us to throw away our own nets, and to leave everything and meet Jesus.