Created 21-Aug-09
Modified 21-Aug-09
Saint Augustine Acolman Monastery represents a 16th-century fortress-monastery building typical of New Spain.
The monastery’s cornerstone was laid as early as 1539; 40 years later, the monastery residents numbered 24 friars, 19 of which pursued their studies and five of which worked as missionaries to convert Indians. The construction of today’s church started only around the middle of the 16th century: it features a wide Gothic interior and an early-Plateresque façade. A small museum with displays from the early missionary period is located inside the monastery. The church has integrated an open chapel, typical for Mexico, to accommodate the newly baptized Indians.
Floods destroyed the associated procession chapels, one of which has however been reconstructed. Outside the current atrium stands a beautiful stone sculpture in the shape of a cross. The centre of this cross shows the face of the suffering Christ. His arms and legs carry symbols of the path of his passion as well as flower ornaments
© Alice Coyl