Iglesia de San Bernardo, Mexico City facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of San Bernardo |
|
|---|---|
Church of San Bernardo in Mexico City
|
|
| Location | Mexico City |
| Country | Mexico |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Religious institute | Cistercians |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 1690 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Juan de Zepeda |
| Style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1685 |
| Completed | 1687 |
The Church of San Bernardo (Spanish: Iglesia de San Bernardo) is a historic building in Mexico City. You can find it near the main plaza, called the Zocalo. This church was once part of a larger convent.
The convent was started in 1636. However, it was closed in 1861 during a time called La Reforma. This was when the government closed many convents and monasteries. Today, only the church building remains. The church itself was built between 1685 and 1687. It shows off the beautiful Baroque style.
History of the Church
The Church of San Bernardo was part of a convent with the same name. A rich merchant named Juan Marquez de Orozco helped pay for it. He left his money to the Church. He wanted the money to be used to build a convent for the Cistercian Order of nuns.
After Orozco passed away, José Retes de Largacha, Marquis of San Jorge, became the main supporter of the convent. He bought the land where the church and convent were built. The convent officially opened in 1636. Three of Orozco's sisters became nuns there. The church was finished and officially opened in 1690.
In the 1700s, Miguel de Berrio y Saldivar, Count of San Mateo Valparaiso, helped with repairs. He used a special reddish stone called tezontle. The church was celebrated again in 1777 after these repairs.
Changes During La Reforma
During the La Reforma period, Benito Juárez was the leader. Many monasteries and convents were closed. The San Bernardo convent was torn down, but the church was saved. Its demolition helped create the street now known as 20 de Noviembre.
Church Design and Features
The outside of the church is mostly covered in tezontle stone. This stone is a reddish, porous rock that comes from volcanoes. The main front of the church shows a "discreet" Baroque style. This means not every part is covered in decoration. Instead, the decorated parts are very detailed and beautiful.
Some people compare the detailed work on this church to the fine work of silversmiths. The Baroque style is very clear around the special carved areas called niches. One niche holds a statue of Saint Bernard. Another niche has a figure of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This figure was moved here when the rest of the convent was taken down. The main architect who designed the church was Juan de Zepeda.
On the outside of the church, there is a bronze plaque. It tells us about the convent's history. It says that the "Concepcionistas Nuns of the Sweetest Name of Mary of the Glorious San Bernardo Convent" were founded here on March 30, 1636. It also mentions a celebration in 1986 for 350 years since its founding.
Inside the church, the altar is in a newer style called neo-classic.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Bernardo (Ciudad de México) para niños
- List of colonial churches in Mexico City
