Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro
Mission At Santiago de Jalpan
Location	Sierra Gorda, Querétaro, Mexico
Built	Between 1750 and 1760
Built for	Franciscan Order
Restored	1990s

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name: Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iii
Designated	2003 (27th session)
Reference no.	1079
Region	Latin America and the Caribbean

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The Franciscan missions of the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro are five special churches built in Mexico. They were constructed between 1750 and 1760. A famous friar named Junípero Serra helped start these missions. He also founded many important missions in California. In 2003, UNESCO named these missions a World Heritage Site. This means they are very important to the world's history and culture.

These missions show a unique style of building and art called "New Spain Baroque." It's a mix of European and local indigenous art. UNESCO recognized them because they show how different cultures shared ideas during the colonization of Mexico. This cultural exchange happened in central and northern Mexico, and even in parts of what is now the United States.

The Sierra Gorda Region
Building the Missions
History of the Missions
Unique Architecture
The Five Missions
See also

The Sierra Gorda Region

Panoramic view of the Sierra Gorda.

The Sierra Gorda is a beautiful natural area in Mexico. It covers the northern part of the state of Querétaro. It also stretches into nearby states like Guanajuato, Hidalgo, and San Luis Potosí. This region is part of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. It has many mountain chains running from north to southeast.

In Querétaro, the Sierra Gorda covers a large area of about 250 square kilometers. It includes parts of San Joaquín and Cadereyta de Montes municipalities. It also covers all of Peñamiller, Pinal de Amoles, Jalpan de Serra, Landa de Matamoros, and Arroyo Seco.

The Sierra Gorda is known for its very rugged land. It has deep canyons and steep mountains. The height above sea level changes a lot. Some parts are as low as 300 meters, like in the Río Santa María Canyon. Other parts are as high as 3,100 meters, like Cerro de la Pingüica. This region has many different environments. You can find pine and oak forests on mountain tops. In deeper canyons, there are banana and sugar cane fields. The eastern side has forests where trees lose their leaves. The western side, near the Mexican Plateau, is like a desert. It has many types of cacti and dry bushes. This wide range of heights and rainfall means the Sierra Gorda has many different plants and animals.

Building the Missions

Junípero Serra, who helped build the missions.

The mission in Jalpan was started in 1750. This was even before Junípero Serra arrived in the area. However, Serra is famous for helping build the five main missions. He also helped teach Christianity to the local people. The missions were actually built by the Pame people. They worked under the guidance of different Franciscan friars. These friars included José Antonio de Murguía, Juan Crispi, Juan Ramos de Lora, and Miguel de la Campa de Landa.

Serra had a special vision for these missions. He wanted to create a kind of perfect community based on Franciscan ideas. He worked closely with the Pame people. He tried to understand their problems and their language. Serra helped them start cooperatives and improve their farming. He also encouraged sharing land and taught Christian lessons in the Pame language. This was a huge effort. Today, you can see the results in the unique mix of cultures shown in the missions' art.

History of the Missions

Mission of Santiago de Jalpan in 1890.

Main square of Jalpan de Serra, a "Pueblo Mágico."

Long ago, between the 6th and 10th centuries, there were cities in this area. But these cities were empty long before the Spanish arrived in the 1500s. At that time, the native people were nomadic hunters and gatherers. These included the Pames, Ximpeces, Guachichils, and Jonaz. They were often called the Chichimecas. There were also Otomis and Huasteca groups. The Spanish controlled the far west and east of the Sierra Gorda. But they could not control the central part, which is now Querétaro. This was because of the rough land and strong resistance from groups like the Jonaz.

For many years, people tried to bring Christianity to the region. But many attempts failed before the mid-1700s. In the 1500s and 1600s, Augustinians, Franciscans, and Dominicans tried to build missions. However, most of these missions were never finished. Or they were destroyed by the local communities soon after they were built. A well-known example is the Bucareli Mission. It was started in 1797 for the Jonaz people. But it was never finished. Only parts of the monastery, mines, and church can still be seen.

In the 1740s, the Spanish government decided to gain full control of the area. This was to protect trade routes to other important cities. José de Escandón led an effort that defeated the Jonaz and Ximpeces. After this, permanent missions could be built in the heart of the Sierra Gorda. The five Franciscan missions linked to Junípero Serra were built in Pame territory. The Pame people were more open to Spanish rule. The Spanish moved Pame villages and resettled people around the missions. This helped them control the area better. The missions were placed to divide the Sierra Gorda and open roads to San Luis Potosí.

Junípero Serra worked on the mission project for eight years. He left in 1770 because of big historical events. One event was the removal of the Jesuits from Spanish lands. Serra then moved to California. After he left, the missions were left alone for a long time. They suffered damage and fell apart. This was especially true during the Mexican Revolution. Many churches were looted, and statues on the mission facades were damaged.

In the 1980s, a group from the INAH got lost in the area. They found one of the missions. This discovery led to efforts to save the missions. In 2003, they were declared a World Heritage Site. Restoration work began in the 1980s on the mission buildings. From 1991 to 1997, work was done inside on altars and paintings. More work was done between 1997 and 2002 on the surrounding plazas. Saving the Tancoyol mission alone cost over three million pesos by 2008. The idea to make the missions a World Heritage Site started in 2000. It took two and a half years, but it was successful in 2003. Today, the five missions are promoted as the "Ruta de las Misiones" (Mission Route) for tourists.

Unique Architecture

Facade of the Mission of Santa María del Agua de Landa.

Facade of the Mission of San Miguel Concá.

Franciscan shield on the facade of the Mission of Santiago de Jalpan de Serra.

The main feature of these mission churches is the beautiful decoration on their main entrances. This style is called "New Spanish Baroque" or "mestizo Baroque." The decorations were meant to teach the local people about the new religion. But unlike other Baroque art, these missions clearly show indigenous influences. Serra wanted to show a mix of cultures, not just a takeover. For example, they used colors like red, orange, and yellow. They also used sacred native figures, such as the rabbit and the jaguar.

The churches have a single main room, called a nave. This room is covered by a rounded ceiling, known as a barrel vault. Each mission has its own special features, especially on its main entrance, or portal. Serra spent eleven years in the Sierra Gorda. Around 1760, he moved north. The missions built in Querétaro were the first of many that would be built in what is now southern California.

The Sierra Gorda missions have a unique style of New Spanish Baroque. This is true for how they are planned and how tall they are. Their facades (fronts) have very original designs. They use high-quality decorations and clever ideas. The shapes are made with stucco, which is a type of plaster. It was made from lime burned nearby and colored with earth. Even though these missions were built in the 1700s, they still show basic ideas from religious buildings of the 1500s. Their architecture follows a "moderate trace" plan. This plan was used by the Mendicant orders like the Franciscans, Augustinians, and Dominicans. They used it for their convent-fortresses.

The missions also have something called a Capilla posa. These are four square, vaulted buildings. They are located at the corners of the main courtyard, or atrium, outside the church. Like the Capilla abierta (open chapel), the Capilla posa is a unique part of Spanish-American colonial art. It shows great creativity and artistic style. There are different ideas about what they were used for. One idea is that they were used to "pose" or rest the Blessed Sacrament during processions around the atrium.

Habsburg double headed eagle on the facade of the Concá mission
Capilla posa at the Mission of Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol
Atrium and capillas posas in the Mission of San Francisco de Asís del Valle de Tilaco

The Five Missions

Mission of Santiago de Jalpan.

The Santiago de Jalpan mission was started in 1744. This was before Junípero Serra arrived. But Serra oversaw the building of the current mission complex from 1751 to 1758. It was the first one built. It is dedicated to James the Greater, an early Christian teacher. This mission is in the center of the modern town, across from the main plaza. It includes a courtyard, a cloister (a covered walkway), a pilgrim portal, and the church. There is also a small chapel on the left side. The original courtyard wall was rebuilt in the same style. It has three entrances and inverted arches. The main entrance of the church is highly decorated. It features images of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Virgin of Guadalupe. Both have connections to Mesoamerican culture. There is also a double-headed eagle, which shows the blending of two cultures.

The facade is richly decorated with stucco and stone. The ochre color of the pilasters (flat columns) stands out against the yellow decorations. Many details are plants, small angels, and eagles. European elements include statues of saints like Saint Dominic and Francis of Assisi. There is also the Franciscan coat of arms. Inside the door, you can see images of Saints Peter and Paul. Native elements include a double-headed Mexican eagle eating a snake. On the upper left, there is an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. On the upper right is Our Lady of the Pillar. These are important virgin images for Mexico and Spain. The original statue of Our Lady of the Pillar was taken in the late 1800s. A clock replaced it. Inside, the cupola (dome) of the Jalpan mission shows scenes of the Virgin of Guadalupe appearing.

Inside the mission.
Main facade.
Bell tower.
Main dome, interior.
Main altar.

Mission of Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol.

The second mission is in Tancoyol. It is called Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol, dedicated to Our Lady of Light. Its facade has many plant decorations, with corn ears standing out. It is the most detailed of the five missions. Juan Ramos de Lora, who lived here from 1761 to 1767, likely built this mission. Its structure is similar to the missions in Jalpan and Landa. It has a church with a cross shape and a choir area. There is also a sacristy (room for church items). The courtyard has a cross and chapels in the corners called "capillas posas." There is also a gate for pilgrims, a cloister, and rooms for the priest.

Inside, there are several sculptures, including one of "Our Lady of Light." The facade has a diamond-shaped window. It is surrounded by a design showing the cord Franciscans use on their robes. The main idea of the facade is mercy. This is shown by images of the Virgin Mary and various saints. The symbols on this entrance are the most complex of the five missions. The facade has three main parts, a pediment (triangular top), and four estípite columns (special decorative columns). The lower part has sculptures of Saints Peter and Paul. It also has two Franciscan coats of arms. The second part has sculptures of Joachim and Saint Anne, holding the Virgin Mary. There is a niche (a small alcove) in the center. This niche used to hold an image of Our Lady of Light, but it is empty now. Between the second and third parts, there is a large window. Above it is a symbol of the stigmata (marks like Christ's wounds) of Francis of Assisi.

The pediment has a large cross design. It combines styles related to the Franciscan and Dominican orders. The main cross at the top represents redemption. It has the crosses of Calatrava and Jerusalem on each side. You can find native elements inside the church. These include an image of a jaguar and a person with Olmec features. The bell tower is narrow. The baptistery (where baptisms happen) is at the base of this tower. A small window lights the baptistery. The tower's dome is shaped like a pyramid. It has a Baroque iron cross on top.

Inside the mission.
Main facade.
Bell tower.
Baptistery.
Main altar.
Main dome, interior.

Mission of San Miguel Concá.

The San Miguel Concá mission is about 40 kilometers from Jalpan. You can find it on Highway 69 towards Río Verde. The church is in the center of the community, on Guerrero Street. It faces south and is dedicated to the Archangel Michael. This is the smallest of the mission churches. It was probably finished in 1754, as an inscription inside the church shows. Concá is a Pame word that means "with me." San Miguel Concá is the northernmost and smallest of the missions. Its decorations include large flowers, leaves, and simple figures in a native style. It is special because it has an image of the Holy Trinity at the very top. It also features a rabbit, which is a Pame symbol, and a double-headed eagle.

Inside the mission.
Main facade.
Baptistery.
Main altar.
Main dome, interior.

Mission of San Francisco de Asís del Valle de Tilaco.

The San Francisco de Asís del Valle de Tilaco mission is in a small community. It is about 18 kilometers northeast of Landa de Matamoros. Juan Crespi built it between 1754 and 1762. It is dedicated to Francis of Assisi. This mission has some unique features. First, it is built on a slope. The bell tower is separate from the main part of the church. The baptistery is between them. The tower also helps support the church structure. Tilaco is the best-preserved of the five missions. It has the most delicate decorations on its facade. Its facade has three horizontal and three vertical sections. The Franciscan coat of arms is clearly visible above the main entrance. In Tilaco, the facade has small angels, corn ears, and a strange large jar. Above this jar is an image of Francis of Assisi. A special decorative element is four mermaids with native features. Tilaco also has the best-preserved corner chapels, or "capillas posas," in its courtyard. These were used for processions.

Interior of the mission.
Main facade.
Bell tower.
Main altar.
Main dome, interior.

Mission of Santa María de la Purísima Concepción del Agua de Landa.

The Santa María de la Purísima Concepción del Agua de Landa mission is 20 kilometers from Jalpan. You can find it on Highway 120 towards Xilitla. Miguel de la Campa built this mission between 1760 and 1768. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. This is where part of the community's name comes from. It was the last of the missions to be built. The courtyard is surrounded by a wall and has a cross in the center. It is paved with stone. This mission is known for its balanced design. It also has a very narrow bell tower that is part of the facade. The sculptures on this facade are considered the best of the five, according to Arqueología Mexicana magazine. The faces of the mermaids at Landa have native features.

The facade looks a lot like the one in Jalpan. They are similar in size and beauty. The courtyard is surrounded by a wall and has a cross in the center, and it's paved. The Franciscan friars left their unique mark on this last mission. You can see their favorite figures. These include the Immaculate Conception (Mary), Saint Francis, and four saints important to the Franciscan order. There are also Archangel Michael and scholars who protected the order, Duns Escoto and María de Agreda. We see the universal church with Saint Peter and Paul. Christ is shown through three martyrs. Also, the shields of the Franciscans are present.

Inside, there are round decorations on the ceiling of the main nave. They start with Saint Michael the Archangel, shown with his usual symbols. Next is Juan Duns Escoto. He is shown in a very clear way, holding the Immaculate Conception in one hand. In the other, he holds a pen, showing how he tirelessly defended the idea of Mary's purity through his writings. Archangel Michael is also in the center of the transept (the cross-arm of the church). He is with two other archangels, Raphael and Gabriel.

The mission stands out for its balanced design. Its very narrow bell tower is built into the facade. The sculptures on this facade are thought to be the best of the five, according to Mexican Archeology magazine.