Capilla de las Esclavas del Sagrado Corazón (Chapel of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), Oviedo

The Chapel of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a quiet sanctuary renowned for its unique spiritual offering and elegant mid-20th‑century architecture. Built between 1942 and 1947, the chapel was designed in an eclectic historicist style with Neo‑Renaissance influences by architects Francisco González Villamil and Miguel Durán. Its pastel-blue and cream façade, pilasters, arched windows, balcony, and crowning image of the Sacred Heart give the structure a light, gracious presence amid the surrounding cityscape.

Inside, visitors are welcomed into the only chapel in Asturias that never closes. Since May 2007, the space has been dedicated to perpetual Eucharistic adoration-meaning that at every hour of the day or night, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for silent prayer and meditation. A team of volunteers from the local Esclavas congregation ensures the chapel remains continually open, even after midnight, to those in search of solace and contemplation.

Despite its modest size, the interior showcases elegant details and a solemn ambiance. The ceiling, stained glass, and altar highlight the thoughtful design. The chapel belongs to the convent of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus-a female religious congregation founded in Argentina in 1872-and historically operated an adjacent university residence, later donated for diocesan charitable use.