The Chapel of Las Angustias

The figure of the Virgen de las Angustias you will find in this chapel was made in Mexico during the first half of the 17th century. Aside from its artistic relevance, one of the most popular appeals of this chapel is the stuffed alligator that can be seen resting inside its glass box. Legend has it that every day a shepherd used to feed a reptile he came across whilst tending to his flock until the creature grew so large that he began to worry. There came a moment when this giant lizard was not satisfied with just the cheese and milk that the shepherd offered it and so it would eat a goat every few days. This became unbearable for the shepherd's modest economy and he decided to end the reptile's life. However, the shepherd could not bring himself to kill it until he realised that the creature he had reared was going to eat him, and so he turned to Virgen de las Angustias for help. Miraculously, the shepherd managed to stab it with a lance and then decided to donate it to the chapel as a token of his gratitude for the favour.

Address
The Chapel of Las Angustias
Las Angustias S/N, 38430 Icod de los Vinos