Santa Teresa la Antigua
Santa Teresa la Antigua | |
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Country | Mexico |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Santa Teresa la Antigua is a former convent located in the
History of the convent
The impetus behind the establishment of the convent occurred in 1613 when the ship carrying archbishop
Much of the convent was built in eight months, and the order was established in 1616; it was first known as the San José de las Carmelitas Descalzas convent. However, popularly the complex became known as “Santa Teresa la Antigua.”[2]
Much of the facility was built with the intention of allowing public access, except for certain areas reserved for the nuns. The order was an austere one, as it followed the Spanish Discalced Carmelites tradition of writer and nun Teresa Zepeda y Ahumada.[1] Unlike many other convents of the time, it had no servants or other help other than girls aspiring to be admitted into the order.[2]
The convent's church was rebuilt in 1684 by Captain Esteban de Molina and was renamed officially as “Nuestra Señora de la Antigua.”[2] Much of the complex was rebuilt by Antonio Gonzalez Velazquez[1] and the chapel of Señor de Santa Teresa was dedicated in 1813.[2] Paintings by the Spanish artist Rafael Ximeno y Planes were added at this time.[1] An earthquake demolished the dome and the apse, taking with them the paintings done by Ximeno. Reconstruction, replacing the older dome with a double-vaulted one, took thirteen years. New paintings were done by Juan Cordero.[2]
In 1863, the convent was closed and the complex was converted to secular use. It served as military barracks, a school for teachers, as the home of the
Building's notable features
The facade inclines noticeably backwards, which is due to the uneven sinking of the building into the soft soil underneath Mexico City, and is divided by
The convent has two identical
The exterior contains sixteen Corinthian columns and there is a dome with stained-glass windows.[1]
Murals
After the building was repaired from an 1845 earthquake, its wall murals were repainted by Juan Cordero. The walls contain paintings named "The Christ of Saint Theresa," and "Saint Matthew."
The cupola dome interior's mural, above the stained-glass windows, was painted by Juan Cordero with an image of "God, the Father" surrounded by images representing virtues.[3]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 968-5437-29-7.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ex-Templo de Santa Teresa la Antigua" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
- ^ )