Santo Domingo (Mexico City) facts for kids
Santo Domingo in Mexico City is a special place with a church and a plaza. Both are just a few blocks north of the big Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. They are separated by Belisario Dominguez Street.
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The Church of Santo Domingo
The church is officially called the Señor de la Expiración Chapel. It stands on the north side of Belisario Dominguez Street, facing the plaza. This church is all that remains of one of the very first monasteries (or friaries) built in New Spain (which is now Mexico).
The Dominicans, a group of religious people, arrived in New Spain in 1526. They started their monastery here. At first, they used houses given to them by the Guerrero family. Later, the Palace of the Inquisition was built nearby. The Dominicans built a church, living areas, and even a jail for people who broke religious rules. They were in charge of the Inquisition, a religious court.
The first church on this spot was finished in 1590. A large monastery was built around it. The king of Spain, Philip II of Spain, helped pay for it. This monastery had four courtyards, a main hall, a library, and a place for the sick. But the building was not very strong. Earthquakes and soft ground meant they had to rebuild.
The second church was built between 1556 and 1571. The church you see today is the third one on this site. It was built between 1717 and 1736. It is made of pink stone in the Baroque style. In 1861, during a time when people were against religious groups, the monastery and its courtyards were destroyed. This created Leandro Valle Street on the west side of the church.
The church's style suggests that Pedro de Arrieta designed it. Its front is covered in a red volcanic stone called tezontle. The main entrance is made of white/grey stone called cantera. There are twelve columns around the entrance. You can see statues of Saint Francis and Saint Augustine on the first level. On the second level, a stone carving shows Saint Dominic kneeling. He is receiving keys from Saint Peter and letters from Saint Paul. The Holy Spirit is shown above them. At the very top, a carving shows the Assumption. This is between two windows that light the choir area inside. On the east side, there are stone figures of Saint Dominic and Saint Francis. They are shown holding up the Church of Letrán.
Inside, the church is shaped like a Latin cross. The main altarpiece is in the Neoclassical style. Manuel Tolsá created it to replace an older Baroque one. To the left of the main area, an altar is dedicated to the Virgin of Covadonga. A large niche holds an image of the Virgin Mary. Above it is a sculpture of the scene at Calvary. Higher up, there is a painting of Mary's Coronation. The cross of the Battle of Covandonga is at the very top. The church also has a choir area. It is shaped like a horseshoe with 32 cedar seats. Each seat has a carving of a different saint.
Next to the church is the Rosario Chapel, built in 1946. It is in a style called neo-Baroque.
This church is also the resting place of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. He was a conquistador and explorer. He is famous for exploring what is now the southwestern United States. His journey was one of the biggest expeditions into North America.
The Plaza of Santo Domingo
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South of the church is Plaza San Domingo. On its west side, you'll find the Portal de Evangelistas. This is a covered walkway with columns and arches. Here, scribes work with typewriters and old printing machines. These scribes help people who cannot read or write. They offer services like writing letters or filling out forms.
In the middle of the plaza, there is a fountain with a statue of Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez. She was a brave heroine of the Mexican War of Independence. Enrique Alcati sculpted this statue.
This area is also known for its many printing shops. While many operate legally, some might not be official.
Historic Buildings Near the Plaza
A small church called San Lorenzo-Deacon and Martyr is at 28 Belisario Dominguez Street. It is to the left of the Santo Domingo Church. This small church has a long history. In the 16th century, it was one of four chapels around the monastery. One of the oldest chapels here was called the "Chapel of the 'Morenos'". It was named this because Dominican friars taught the local people here. The current church used to have four altars. Now, it has one simple altar. The entrance to the church is from the 19th century. It has a simple arch with carved plants. Above it is a symbol of Christ's name. This old church needs a lot of care.
At 97 Republica de Cuba Street, there is a house on land that once belonged to Juan Jaramillo. He was the husband of La Malinche, an important woman in Mexican history. The house you see today was built in the 1700s. But it stands on much older foundations.
At 92 Republica de Cuba Street, there is a building from the time of President Porfirio Diaz. This was in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, this building is a music school.
At 37 Republica de Brasil Street, you can find the house where Leona Vicario died. She was another heroine of the Mexican War of Independence. Today, this house is a private museum.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santo Domingo (Ciudad de México) para niños
- List of colonial churches in Mexico City
Images for kids
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Plaza de Santo Domingo in a painting of 1862 by Hercule Catenacci and Désiré Charnay.
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Plaza de Santo Domingo in a photo of 1873
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Plaza de Santo Domingo in 1855 by Casimiro Castro.
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Plaza de Santo Domingo in 1883 by Thomas Brocklehurst.
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Plaza de Santo Domingo in 1900 by Abel Briquet.
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Former colonial Custom Building
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A colonial palace
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Palace of the Inquisition and church
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