Iglesia La Viñita – Ornamentation

Indoor decoration is minimal. Its plain ceiling is divided into panels, which are profusely ornamented with molded elements and central lockets; certain central areas depict images of saints.

A hexagonal pulpit, entirely carved in wood, is located near the altar. Along the walls, there are small-sized pictures with imagery related to the Stations of the Cross.

The altar area has an architecturally adorned reredos, where an image of the Virgin of Montserrat, brought by Inés de Suárez, in exhibited. The image of the Dark-skinned Virgin has become the unofficial patron saint of the criminals of Santiago. Indeed many who are released from prison go to pray to her and as a result the icon is also known as the «Virgen de los lanzas» (lanza is Chilean slang for a thief or criminal). The 95-cm (38-inch) statue is carved in polychrome wood. There is a replica of the statue at the entrance. Often criminals go to pray for protection before a robbery or release from prison of those convicted. Such a relationship to crimes might come from Barcelona, since the original hermitage was located in a mountain with rock outgrowths that seem to be the teeth of a saw from a distance, which would have been a shelter for bandits.

The image, considered miraculous, dates back to 1574, and according to the legend, was found by a native in the Montserrat farm:

The man, exhausted after looking for some goats on the hill, fell asleep. In a dream, a lady appeared, who tenderly held his hand and led him to a nearby site. The man awoke with a start, and after recovering from the impression, went to cut firewood. Then he found, carved on a tree trunk, the bust of the lady of his dream. Quickly, he took the trunk and gave it to the chaplain, who, amazed by the finding, ordered to properly finish the sculpture. Later, a body and the Child were added to the image”.