From where I am sitting this looks really remote : worlds away - central America. The sheer guts that these early Spanish missionaries showed is amazing. Here is an example of the work of Dominican friars in present south Mexico.
Dominican friars arrived here in March 1545. However they soon upset local Spanish residents through criticisms about treatment of local Indians. It was not until October 1546 that this subsided and the friars began to set up their own living quarters.Planning began for the establisment of a monastery. The site was chosen as it would be near the Indians and out of town. This first convent was very small and simple. The main building had been vacant a long time and was made of poles and and branches covered with mud and with a thatched roof. Again the dedication and guts of these first Dominicans is striking. I have been reading about the creation of this first monastery here
The present Dominican church was finished about 1700 : how different from the first church! The facade is rich in detail resempling lace and shows originality with its Solomonic columns - like a retable. The stairway leading up of 15 steps enhances its splendour. Today there is often a local artisan market outside. It must be a colourful sight.
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| The remarkable pulpit |
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| Interior : note the side chapels |
Inside there are fine uniform Baroque altarpieces down the nave. The pulpit is unique. Made of carved wood covered in gold leaf it was likely created by local indigenous craftsmen.. It has a preaching area resting on globe type base and is reached via a long corrodor or ramp. All is in the same style and quite remarkable.
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| Overview of the facade |
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| Solomonic columns in the facade |
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| Upper p[art of the facade |
I am strangely attrated to this place. When I came upon this account of someone staying there in an airbnb flat I was even more attracted. Take look at these wonderful images. Makes you feel you are there...
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