Created 21-Aug-09
Modified 21-Aug-09
The most amazing and beautiful building of the complex of the former Jesuit school of Tepotzotlán is, undoubtedly, the church of San Francisco Javier. This building is remarkable not only because of its grandeur, but also because it is one of the few New Spanish 18th century baroque churches which still preserves its original architecture, painting and sculpture. We must not forget that most colonial churches from that time were transformed since the late 18th century under the influence of the new artistic ideas of the neoclassical style.
This church, with a Latin cross plan, was built between 1670 and 1682 thanks, among others, to donations of the Medina Picazo family. This is evidenced by a memorial tablet found during the restoration works in 1964 and which can now be seen to one side of the altarpiece dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola. The side façade of this temple also dates to the 17th century
© Alice Coyl