Religious Architecture In San Miguel De Allende

Religious Architecture In San Miguel De Allende

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Saint Michael Archangel Parish Church. The neogothic style facade was built in the early 18th century by the renowned master builder Zeferino Gutierrez; once inside, you cannot help but notice the image of the Archangel Michael or Archangel San Miguel in Spanish, patron saint of the city. Next to it there is an image of the Lord of the Conquest (Seor de la Conquista). The church and the chapel host a magnificent pictorial collection, among which the works of Juan Rodriquez Juarez stand out.

San Rafael Temple, aka the Holy School. This temple is located in the same atrium to the left of the parish church. The name of Holy School of Christ was given to the place because Philippian priest Luis Felipe Neri de Alfaro instituted such pious association in the 18th century. The harsh faade with the stone medallion and the carved Holy Christ is the one originally placed in the temple.

Temple of the Third Order. The building was constructed in the early part of the 17th century, and is a sample of the transition in architectural styles of the time, because some Renaissance features can be seen in it, in the form of early baroque. The reason for that is the construction was stopped in 1638 due to the lack of money, and it was resumed in 1680 when the baroque trends were in fashion. The spade finishing the corner of the temple was carved in the 18th century, and it was opened together with the new high altar in 1713. The buttresses on the side of the building, providing it with more stability, are in a good state of preservation. The upper part is finished with a niche housing the image of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Saint Francis Temple. The construction of this temple began in 1779 and it was finished 20 years later. The building is one of the representative works of Churrigueresque style, as shown in its main faade and in the side entrance. Its main features are geometric shapes in columns or pilasters, using a truncated pyramid, whose minor base is located in the lower part of the column, where it starts. The main faade bares two large smooth walls framing the grand frontage decorated with an exuberant work of carved columns and niches, with rectilinear shapes, combining representations of vegetables and human faces. Important to mention is the bell tower which has three sections, built by the famous architect from Guanajuato, Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras using a neoclassical style, harmoniously integrated with the whole construction. The vestry and the sacristy house art work, among others the painting The Death of Saint Francis by Juan Rodriquez Juarez and a Saint Gabriel by Juan Correa.

Church and Convent of the Immaculate Conception. The construction of this architectural complex began in 1755. The convent and the church were opened on December 28, 1765, with the tower and the vault still unfinished. Inside you can admire works of art, such as the baroque style golden altarpiece located in the lower choir, with its magnificent wrought iron grilles. The main access of the faade is an outstanding feature, whose door bares witness of the magnificent artistic quality of the artisans of San Miguel de Allende in those times. The vault is owed to the expertise of master builder Zeferino Gutierrez, who built it in the late years of the 19th century. It is said that the design was inspired by the Chapel of the Disabled in Paris.

Other ancient temples of interest in San Miguel are Saint Anna, Saint John of God, Saint Anthony, Our Lady of Health, Saint Phillip Neri Oratory, Saint Dominique, the Calvery, the Hermit, Saint Joseph, Corn Valley Chapel and the Chapel of the Seven Sorrows of the Holy Virgin, among others.

About the Author:
Article by Donovan Martinez. Donovan lives and works in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
To learn more about San Miguel de Allende visit the San Miguel Directory



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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