Templo

How did you ask me to attract so much attention? I did not expect it and the truth, as I continued on my way after making a stop at the Bolarque reservoir, a few meters after passing the bridge over the Tagus River, this small but striking temple appears. As of today it was closed, possibly because of the covid, I don't know but the door was closed although perhaps it is rather because it is not used and they just do not open it ... In any case it is very beautiful and It is worth stopping and looking at it.

It is surprising to come across this small church with Byzantine reminiscences. Fortunately, it is not vandalized, despite having been closed for a long time.

Very interesting and beautiful .... seen outside and in a beautiful landscape. But it is closed and there are no indications of how to visit the interior.

Chapel of the Christ of Bolarque. At one time, the Marqués de Urquijo, as the main shareholder of Unión Eléctrica Madrileña, had it built to provide additional religious service to the inhabitants of the town, who were the workers of the old UNIÓN ELECTRICA, later UNIÓN FENOSA, GAS NATURAL FENOSA , today NATURGI. Carved masonry stone, extracted from the 'red quarry' that is to the left of the dam's retaining wall. Short Greek TAO base, circular interior main nave with colored hemispherical vault and rectangular right and left wings; Rectangular access nave that is joined to the circular nave by a portal with two doors, in the first design line of which rises the belfry with bell tower. Leaded stained glass windows. Settlement on incline carved ashlars, as retaining footings. Families of up to 8 children lived there in the Las Américas neighborhood, whose population fluctuated between 250 and 300 inhabitants. The Westinghouse engineers and their families [USA] were added, when they came to set up the José Cabrera Nuclear Power Plant, data referring to the 60s of the 20th century. The chapel is located within the municipality of Sayatón, so it depended on the Parish of San Pedro, but the priest lived in the house that the company gave him in front, below, next to the pediment; with small orchard, corral and chicken coop, and access door with path to the road. The feast in honor of Christ was celebrated on September 14. The last religious act celebrated was a wedding on October 12, 2019, of a son, grandson and great-grandson of former residents of the Las Américas neighborhood, and employees of Unión, whose marriage is registered in the ecclesiastical registry of Sayatón. It is easy to meet former employees who will remember their times in Bolarque, the place where they have spent a very pleasant working life and have felt very well considered.

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