Stella Maris is an ancient Catholic title for the Virgin Mary. This title is used to emphasize that the Virgin Mary is the hope and guide of Christians. It comes from the Metaphor of the Israelites in the Old Testament that the Gentiles are the sea, meaning "people on the other side", and the sea refers to the border of The Territory of Israel. The Virgin Was called the Star of the sea because she was believed to protect and guide travelers and those who depended on the sea.
For years, the neighbors of the fishermen village of El Pris had tried to promote the construction of a proper temple, under the vocation of the Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) who is patroness of the sailors. Despite designating for it several different locations, this construction for various reasons was not possible. The image of the Virgin, for which the neighbors are strongly devoted, was stored in a warehouse belonging to a fishermen association, waiting to be placed in a sacred space.
The plot located on a rocky headland next to the old pier, was certainly complicated due to its small size and irregular shape. This difficulty was even increased by the significant slope of the base on which the chapel was supposed to be constructed (it was not possible to excavate the rock due to the danger which such works could cause for adjacent poor, self-build houses) as well as the restrictions of the law and limited economical resources.
On the concrete altarpiece, there is an entrance of zenith light, which passing through a blue glass creates the ambient of the space. On a material level the construction results from great austerity, the simplicity of the used materials and the use of resources such as natural lighting, which provide the building with an ascetic character that seeks the essential. The crushed concrete altarpiece contains blue glasses in its mass, which comes from the bottles of local white wine that was shared by the neighbors of El Pris after the celebration laying of the cornerstone.
The circumference that forms the floor plan of the temple, represents the femininity of the Virgin Mary, the maternal figure who embraces the faithful. Thus, the Virgin del Carmen presides the space, being located in the north like metaphor of its function of guide to the sailors during the night. The Stella Maris or Star of the Sea.
- Architect: Beautell Arquitectos
- Photos: Jose Oller Flavio Dorta
- Words: Xran