Capilla San Juan Bautista

Gazing upon Capilla San Juan Bautista, one can almost hear the echoes of its long history. Capilla San Juan Bautista stands as a testament to time. It has witnessed the changing fortunes of Buenos Aires. This chapel, initially built in 1719 thanks to a donation from Maestro de Campo de Milicias Don Juan de San Martín, holds a special place in the city’s heart. The Capilla San Juan Bautista served the indigenous community. It later became part of the Convent of the Capuchin Nuns who arrived in Buenos Aires in 1747. The original structure, prone to collapse, was replaced with a new edifice between 1769 and 1797. The current Capilla San Juan Bautista, with its added towers and facade, is a result of further renovations in 1895 and 1901 by architects J. M. Belgrano and Rómulo Ayerza, respectively. Its neo-Romanesque lines, large central arch with rose window and stained glass, and asymmetrical towers give it a unique charm. Inside Capilla San Juan Bautista, one can find the tomb of Pedro Melo de Portugal y Villena, the fifth Viceroy of the Río de la Plata. The adjacent “Patio de la Reconquista” holds the remains of soldiers from both sides of the British Invasions of 1806 and 1807. The Capuchin nuns resided at Capilla San Juan Bautista until 1982. Their presence is still felt in the preserved private chapel where they once attended mass. The main altarpiece, dating back to the 18th century, bears the scars of the 1955 fires, but has since been restored. Capilla San Juan Bautista has faced challenges. It suffered damage during the fires of 1955. A fire in 1908 destroyed a neighboring store. Thefts have unfortunately plagued the chapel, leading to its afternoon closure. Yet, it perseveres. It continues to serve as a place of worship and a venue for organ concerts, reminding us of its resilience and enduring significance in the story of Buenos Aires.