Santa Teresa la Antigua facts for kids
The Santa Teresa la Antigua is an old convent building in the historic center of Mexico City. You can find it at Licenciado Primo de Verdad #6, just northeast of the city's main square, the Zocalo. This large building stopped being a convent in the late 1800s. Since 1989, it has been home to the Santa Teresa la Antigua Alternative Art Center, a place for modern art.
History of the Old Convent
The idea for this convent started in 1613. At that time, a ship carrying Archbishop Juan Pérez de la Serna got caught in a big storm. The archbishop made a promise to Saint Teresa of Ávila. He said he would build a Carmelite monastery if she helped him reach New Spain (which is now Mexico) safely.
Once he was safe on land, the archbishop convinced two sisters, Inés Castillet and Mariana de la Encarnación, to help pay for the project. They were rich and owned many plantations. Other wealthy people, like the Marquise of Guadalcazar, also gave money.
Most of the convent was built very quickly, in just eight months! The religious order started living there in 1616. It was first called the San José de las Carmelitas Descalzas convent. But people usually called it "Santa Teresa la Antigua," which means "Saint Teresa the Old."
Much of the building was made so that people from outside could visit. However, some parts were only for the nuns. The nuns followed a very strict way of life, known as the Spanish Discalced Carmelites tradition. Unlike many other convents back then, they did not have servants. Only girls who wanted to become nuns helped out.
The convent's church was rebuilt in 1684 by Captain Esteban de Molina. It was officially renamed "Nuestra Señora de la Antigua." Later, Antonio Gonzalez Velazquez rebuilt much of the complex. The chapel of Señor de Santa Teresa was opened in 1813. Paintings by a Spanish artist named Rafael Ximeno y Planes were added then.
Sadly, an earthquake destroyed the dome and the back part of the church. It also ruined Ximeno's paintings. Rebuilding the church took thirteen years. A new, stronger dome was built. New paintings were created by an artist named Juan Cordero.
A famous writer and nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, once lived here. But because she was not very healthy and the convent's rules were so strict, she soon moved to another convent nearby. The convent also served as a prison for Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez. She was an important person who helped start the Mexican War of Independence.
In 1863, the convent was closed down. The building was then used for many different things. It was a military barracks (a place for soldiers), a school for teachers, and even part of the National University. It also housed the government's print shop and the archives for the Secretary of Finance.
In 1989, the old convent became the Ex-Santa Teresa Alternative Art Center. This center focuses on performance art and other types of modern art. In 1993, a group was started here to collect alternative art.
Cool Features of the Building
If you look closely at the front of the building, you might notice it leans backward a bit. This happens because Mexico City is built on soft ground, and the building has slowly sunk unevenly. Strong supports called buttresses divide the front wall.
The convent has two identical entrances that show off the Baroque architecture style. Both the first and second floors look like they have twisted columns, called Solomonic columns. But the columns on the second floor are actually smooth spirals! The window frame facing the street is very fancy. It has special symbols for the names of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint Joachim.
Outside, there are sixteen Corinthian columns. The dome has beautiful stained-glass windows.
Wall Paintings
After an earthquake in 1845, the building's walls were repaired. Then, the artist Juan Cordero repainted the murals. Some of these paintings are called "The Christ of Saint Theresa" and "Saint Matthew."
Inside the cupola dome, above the stained-glass windows, Juan Cordero painted a mural of "God, the Father." He is surrounded by images that represent good qualities like kindness and bravery.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa Teresa la Antigua para niños
- List of colonial churches in Mexico City
