Santiago de Querétaro in Querétaro, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)
The Great Convent of San Francisco
El Convento Grande de San Francisco fue la construcción religiosa franciscana de mayor importancia en la ciudad virreinal de Santiago de Queretaro, iniciada a mediados del siglo XVI, bajo los auspicios del cacique otomí Fernando de Tapia – Conin - , del templo y convento originales no quedan mayores evidencias, a no ser el bajo relieve del apóstol Santiago que corona la fachada actual del Templo de San Francisco. Las edificaciones que siguen en pie datan de los siglos XVII y XVIII.
El convento, comprendia una superficie de mas de dos hectáreas y un cuarto, delimitada por las calles actuales de Juarez, Independencia, Josefa Vergara y Cinco de Mayo.
En la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, con la aplicación de las Leyes de Reforma y los enfrentamientos que trajo consigo, el convento fue desmembrado; se demolio la barda atrial, se destruyeron cinco capillas y se abrieron calles que mutilaron el predio.
Las edificaciones emplazadas al oriente de la Calle Corregidora se conservan en su mayor parte, entre ellas Templo de San Francisco con su imponente torre de cantera, y el Museo Regional de Queretaro que incorpora los principales claustros y patios interiores del convento; al poniente de esta vialidad, el atrio, el huerto y las capillas, desaparecieron para dar lugar a lo que ahora son el Jardin Zenea, el Gran Hotel y la Plaza Constitucion.
English translation:
The Great Convent of San Francisco was the Franciscan religious building of greatest importance in the viceregal city of Santiago de Querétaro, begun in the middle of the 16th century, under the auspices of the Otomí leader Fernando de Tapia, also known as Conin. Nothing remains of the original temple and convent, except for the image of the Apostle Santiago (St. James) crowning the present facade of the Temple of San Francisco. The associated buildings that are still standing date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The convent originally covered an area of more than two and a quarter hectares. It was delimited by the current streets of Juárez, Independencia, Josefa Vergara and Cinco de Mayo.
In the second half of the 19th century, with the application of the Reform Laws and the conflict associated with their implementation, the convent was dismembered. The atrium’s fence work was demolished, five chapels were destroyed and streets were opened that mutilated the property.
The buildings located to the east of Corregidora Street are preserved for the most part, including the San Francisco Temple with its imposing stone tower, and the Regional Museum of Queretaro that incorporates the main cloisters and inner courtyards of the convent. To the west of this road, the atrium, the garden and the chapels disappeared to give place to what are now the Zenea Garden Park, the Gran Hotel and the Constitution Plaza.
Erected by Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Man-Made Features.
Location. 20° 35.523′ N, 100° 23.484′ W. Marker is in Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro. Marker is on Calle Corregidora, 0.1 kilometers north of Calle Independencia, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 Calle Corregidora, Santiago de Querétaro QUE 76000, Mexico. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Foundations of the Convent of San Francisco (within shouting distance of this marker); José M. Arteaga (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Royal Inland Road (about 120 meters away); Mexico's Ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (about 120 meters away); Church and Former Convent of San Francisco (about 120 meters away); The Flor Baja Fountain (about 150 meters away); Francisco León de la Barra (about 150 meters away); Residence of Epigmenio and Emeterio González (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santiago de Querétaro.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on June 8, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.