The urban centre is situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) in the Tenza Valley.

[1] La Capilla was originally called La Capilla de Tenza, after the Our Lady of Candle appeared in the outskirts of the village.

The people of the area of La Capilla were loyal to the caciques of Garagoa, Sutatenza and Somondoco in the Tenza Valley.

Conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and his troops passed through this valley in 1537, on their way to the domains of the zaque of Hunza.

[1] Main economical activity of La Capilla is agriculture, with cucumbers, tomatoes and beans cultivated.