Capilla posa facts for kids

This is a capilla posa at the old Convent of Calpan, dedicated to Saint Francis.

A capilla posa is a special type of building found in old monasteries in New Spain (which is now Mexico) from the 1500s. These buildings are usually square-shaped with a vaulted roof. You'd find four of them, one at each corner of the main courtyard, called an atrium, outside the church.

Like another type of building called a capilla abierta (open chapel), religious statues or symbols were placed in the capilla posa. This is why it's called "posa," which means "to pose" or "to rest." These chapels are unique to New Spain and are considered a special contribution to art worldwide. They combine elements from ancient local art and Baroque styles.

Great examples of capillas posas can be seen in Huejotzingo and Calpan in Puebla, Mexico. Their decorations were made using a special technique called tequitqui, which blends medieval and Renaissance art styles. This mix of cultures is called syncretism.

What is a Capilla Posa?

The Convent of San Miguel in Huejotzingo has capillas posas dedicated to important figures like John the Baptist, James the Great, Our Lady of the Assumption, and Saints Peter and Paul. Each of these chapels has a square base, about 5.40 meters (17.7 feet) on each side.

The entrances to these chapels have special arches with linked designs. These designs are similar to those found on the main entrance of the convent and feature the cord symbol of Francis of Assisi.

Why Were Capillas Posas Built?

Experts have different ideas about what capillas posas were used for:

• Resting Places: One popular idea is that they were used to "rest" the Eucharist (a sacred religious item) during religious parades or processions that went around the atrium.
• Outdoor Classrooms: Some researchers, like Carlos Chanfón, think they might have been used as outdoor classrooms. Groups of students could gather there to learn about religion and Western customs, as the atrium was often a place for teaching.
• Neighborhood Stations: Another idea is that each capilla posa was linked to one of the four neighborhoods in the town. Each neighborhood might have been responsible for keeping their chapel clean and maintained.
• Burial Sites: According to Antonio Rubial, they might have served as burial places for important local leaders.
• Friars' Retreats: Margarita Martínez del Sobral suggests they could have been small hermitages where friars (monks) could go for quiet time and reflection.

How Did Capillas Posas Start?

The exact origin of capillas posas is also debated:

• Early Church Inspiration: Carlos Chanfón believes they might have been inspired by early churches and small hermitages.
• Later Additions: Mario Córdova Tello's studies show that these chapels were not always part of the original monastery design. For example, engravings on the capilla posa at the former Franciscan Convent of Huejotzingo show it was built later, around 1550.

Images for kids

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  This is a capilla posa in Huejotzingo. You can see the walls of the Franciscan convent in front and the Iztaccihuatl volcano in the background.

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  On the right, you can see an Augustinian capilla posa at the Church and Convent of San Andrés Apóstol in Epazoyucan.

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  This is a Dominican capilla posa at the Convent of la Natividad in Tepoztlán.

See also

In Spanish: Capilla posa para niños

• Santa Monica Parish Church (Minalin)