“Attention Jesus,” a phrase echoing from centuries past, is a fitting introduction to the story of the Ave María Purísima Statue. Here before us stands more than stone. It represents a tradition. It is a bridge connecting Buenos Aires to Toledo, Spain.
The story of the Ave María Purísima Statue begins with a singular ceramic rectangle. This rectangle welcomes visitors to the Museo Criollo de los Corrales. The text originates from a historic majolica. It was once located in the Convent of the Capuchins of Toledo. During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the convent was destroyed in the bombing of the Alcázar.
The phrase “Ave María Purísima” itself holds a unique cultural significance. In the past, a countryman arriving at a property would announce “Ave María Purísima”. The response “sin pecado concebida” meant welcome. Without that response, the visitor would simply leave. This custom, brought by Catholic Spain, has largely faded.
The monastery of the Capuchins held a majolica. It bore this inscription “Attention Jesus and what harm would he do who enters this house and neglects to say Ave María. And also, who, having already heard such a celestial word, would not respond promptly ‘conceived without sin'”.
The Alcázar of Toledo suffered intense bombing. The emblematic building was reduced to rubble. The church and convent met the same fate. The Alcázar was rebuilt. The adjacent buildings were not. The ceramic’s wisdom was forgotten.
For years, a vision existed. It was to welcome museum visitors with this very text. In the 60th anniversary year, with the help of Gráfica BodyPel, it became a reality. The Ave María Purísima Statue serves as a reminder of this tradition. It connects us to a time when faith and courtesy intertwined.
The Ave María Purísima, therefore, is not just a statue. It is a cultural touchstone. It links Argentina to the traditions of Spain. It reminds us of a time when a simple phrase could determine welcome or departure. The statue revives a forgotten custom. It shows how deeply intertwined faith and daily life once were. It is a celebration of heritage. It stands as a symbol of Buenos Aires’ rich cultural tapestry. It is an enduring echo of a tradition. The tradition links continents and centuries.