16th Century Religious Architecture in New Spain

Religious Architecture in 16th Century New Spain

Open Chapels: Type Two

The open chapel consists of one or more ships perpendicular to the axis of the temple, with a presbytery opening in the middle. In these chapels, both the officiants and the faithful are indoors. Notable examples include:

• Tlalmanalco (1560)
• Teposcolula in the Mixteca Alta
• Otumba, featuring a set of arches
• Tzintzuntzan Native Hospital, featuring Renaissance ornamentation (1619)
• Tepoztlan, Morelos, which remains in ruins today

Open Chapels: Type Three

Many chapels were built with parallel aisles, reminiscent of the structure of famous Muslim mosques. The most important example is the Royal Chapel, attached to the Franciscan convent of Cholula, Puebla.

The Cathedrals of New Spain

Cathedrals represent the highest expression of religious architecture. Seven cathedrals were founded during the 16th century, though many buildings have since disappeared or been modified: Tlaxcala (1527), Mexico City (1530), Oaxaca (1535), Michoacán (1536), Chiapas (1538), Guadalajara (1548), and Yucatan (1561).

The Merida Cathedral was started in 1561 and concluded in 1598 by architect Juan Miguel de Agüero. It is the oldest cathedral in Mexico and on the continent. In the center of the crossing is a cupola on scallops. The interior decoration of the vaults and dome features casetonado (coffered) work. It has three naves of equal height with a cruise, formed by thick Tuscan columns supporting the vaults. Its interior style reflects a pure Renaissance aesthetic.

These cathedrals were born from the impetus of the Renaissance and the example of the new Basilica of St. Peter. Spain, the champion of the Counter-Reformation, was the nation that built the most cathedrals, both in its own territory and in its colonies.

16th Century Convent Architecture

Convent works evolved to become more artistic and less constrained by military defense. The convents of the second half of the 16th century represent the ultimate expression of the medieval world, receiving the imprint of the Renaissance. While Europe was immersed in a full atmosphere of culture and art, America saw a new feudalism emerge as indigenous populations were divided among encomenderos.

Convents followed the standards established by Don Antonio de Mendoza, the first viceroy, in the mid-16th century, though each offers regional variations. Conventual sets consist of the following parts: atrium, temple, monastery, and orchard.