The Main Chapel of Colegio La Salle, in Recoleta, is the principal chapel of one of Buenos Aires’ most traditional educational complexes and a space of heritage value that is hard to imagine from the outside. Inaugurated in 1912 and integrated into the campus’s Neo-Renaissance building, its interior surprises with a scale unusual for a school chapel: a capacity for more than 1,200 people, stained-glass windows crafted in Bordeaux, and a marble altar brought from Toulouse. And at the center of it all stands the Cavaillé-Coll organ—one of the most unique pipe organs in Argentina.
And now, you’ll be able to admire all of this by candlelight during a very special concert series. “Candlelight at La Salle’s Main Chapel” will feature a tribute to Coldplay, another to Juan Gabriel, and new programs performed by string quartets—perfect for enjoying in the chapel’s exceptional acoustics.
What the Main Chapel Looks Like Inside: History and Architecture
The Main Chapel is part of La Salle School, founded in Buenos Aires in 1878. Its construction was driven by a need: to have a space capable of bringing the entire school community together. That is why its dimensions are unusual for a school chapel—something you notice as soon as you enter: soaring ceilings, a spacious nave, and light filtering through stained-glass windows commissioned from Casa D’Grant in Bordeaux, along with a Carrara marble altar that came from the former chapel of the Saint-Joseph Boarding School in Toulouse.
All of this creates an interior that underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2017 and is now of particular interest to those who want to see what the La Salle School chapel looks like from the inside.
What You Can Do at the Main Chapel of La Salle School
This space is primarily used for Masses, religious celebrations, and activities of the Lasallian community, though it is occasionally open for cultural events and concerts in Buenos Aires. Among these artistic offerings is “Candlelight,” featuring a series of classical music concerts by the light of thousands of candles. This format has taken cities around the world by storm and is now here, with dates and tickets available in limited quantities.
Where is the Main Chapel at La Salle School and how to get there
The Main Chapel is located at 650 Riobamba, right in the heart of Recoleta. Although it does not have its own parking lot, the venue is in a well-connected area and easy to reach by public transportation: bus lines 12, 24, 26, 29, 60, 99, 101, 109, 115, 132, 140, and 180 have stops nearby, while subway lines A, B, D, and H are within walking distance. It is also accessible via the Mitre, San Martín, and Sarmiento train lines.
Can you visit without attending a concert?
It does not operate as a self-guided tour site, nor does it offer guided tours on a fixed schedule, but the school’s Documentation, History, and Heritage Committee organizes occasional guided tours that allow visitors to explore the interior.
Is the La Salle Main Chapel accessible to people with limited mobility?
For Candlelight concerts, the venue provides accessibility for people with limited mobility in the Side Area A. If you need other types of assistance or want to confirm access conditions for a visit outside of that context, it’s best to check directly with the school before you go.
Nearby Points of Interest
Very close to the Main Chapel of La Salle School is the Palacio de Aguas Corrientes (Riobamba 750), one of the most striking buildings in Buenos Aires. A little over ten blocks away is the Teatro Colón, another of the city’s major architectural and cultural landmarks. And for those who want to continue exploring, the San José Auditorium —another venue where Candlelight concerts are held in Buenos Aires— is less than a kilometer away.
