Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres
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| Born | 1727 Villa de Guadalupe, Mexico
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| Died | 1792 (aged 65) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings | El Pocito chapel,
Santiago Calimaya counts' palace, Jaral de Berrio Marquise's palace, La Enseñanza Church |
Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres (born in Villa de Guadalupe in 1727, died in Mexico City in 1792) was a very important Baroque architect in Mexico City. At that time, Mexico City was the capital of a region called New Spain, which was part of the Spanish Empire. He designed many grand palaces and buildings, including some near the famous Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica.
Guerrero y Torres was known for developing a unique "Mexican" style of Rococo architecture, often called the Galante Style. He learned from another famous architect, Lorenzo Rodríguez. In 1753, when he was 26, Guerrero y Torres helped build the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, working with the main architect, Pedro de Arrieta.
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Becoming a Master Architect
Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres was born in Villa de Guadalupe in 1727. He was taught by private teachers. He loved buildings and learned his skills as an apprentice (a student learning a trade) from Lorenzo Rodríguez. At 26, he helped design and build the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine.
Famous Buildings and Designs
Guerrero y Torres designed many important buildings. His work helped make Mexico City known as the "town of palaces."
The Count's Palace
From 1769 to 1772, Guerrero y Torres built a grand palace for the Count of San Mateo de Valparaíso. This palace was built where an older mansion from the 1500s once stood. It was part of a big project to improve the historic center of Mexico City.
This project made Guerrero y Torres very famous. He was even named the "Major Master of the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, and the Inquisition Headquarters." The Count wanted a truly "Mexican" style palace, so Guerrero y Torres used local materials. The building had strong parts made of grey Chiluca limestone, like doorframes and decorative gargoyles. The outside walls were covered with red tezontle, a type of volcanic stone, and decorated with blue talavera poblana tiles from Puebla.
The Marquise's Palace
Between 1779 and 1785, he built a new palace for the Marquise of Jaral de Berrio. She was the only daughter of the Countess of San Mateo de Valparaíso. This palace also replaced an older mansion. It was special because it had two towers at the front corners. Usually, palaces only had one tower. Having two showed how incredibly wealthy the owner was! Today, this building is known as the Palace of Iturbide.
El Pocito Chapel
Guerrero y Torres also built the Pocito chapel (which means "little well" chapel). It is part of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine complex. This chapel was built as an ex-voto, a special offering of thanks. Guerrero y Torres and the builders did not charge any money for their work. The materials were given as donations by people and the bishop. This chapel shows a mix of older Baroque style and newer Neoclassic elements.
La Enseñanza Church
Doña María Ignacia de Azlor y Echeverz, who was the head of a girls' school, asked Guerrero y Torres to build La Enseñanza Church (1772–1778). The design of La Enseñanza is similar to the Pocito chapel. Sadly, none of Guerrero y Torres' original drawings for his buildings have survived.
Key Works in Mexico City
Here are some of the important buildings designed by Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres, all located in Mexico City:
- The San Mateo Valparaíso counts' palace (at Venustiano Carranza Street and Isabel la Católica Street)
- Our Lady of the Pillar, also known as La Enseñanza (built 1772–1778) (at 102 Donceles Street)
- The Jaral de Berrio marquise's palace (built 1779 to 1785) (at Madero Street)
- The Santiago Calimaya counts' palace (at Pino Suárez Street)
- The two Houses of the Guerrero d'Ávila's Mayorazgo (at Moneda Street and El Carmen Street)
- The Pulque Customs building, which was once a city gate (at Peralvillo Street and Reforma Street)
- The El Pocito Chapel (the Little Well chapel), located in the Our Lady of Guadalupe complex.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres para niños
