Capilla del Cristo

The little Chapel of Christ sits at the southern end of Calle del Cristo, perched right at the city wall. It is a single room of polished wood and silver, with a small altar to El Cristo de la Salud — Christ of Health. The altar is plated in silver milagros, miniature votive offerings left by people seeking cures.

The chapel is small and almost always closed except for Tuesdays, when it opens for a few hours and a queue forms. Whether you go inside or not, the spot itself is one of the most photographed in the old city — the wrought-iron gate, the chapel against the wall, and the Parque de las Palomas just behind, where you can sit and feed pigeons under a fig tree.

things to do sight old san juan
A story
In 1753 a young rider participating in a race down Calle del Cristo lost control of his horse and plunged over the city wall. According to the version that built the chapel, he survived; according to the inquiry, he did not. Either way, the secretary of state ordered the chapel built and Calle del Cristo blocked off, which is why this end of the street is a dead end to this day.