Veracruz in Municipality of Veracruz, Mexico — The Gulf Coast

The Convent of San Francisco

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

1. The Convent of San Francisco Marker

Inscription.

The Convent of San Francisco. . Convento de San Francisco. 1El primer templo de la orden franciscana en la ciudad de Veracruz estuvo construido en madera con un pequeño torreón de mampostería, en 1715 en atención al decreto de Cal y Canto, el templo es construido de mampostería de piedra múca, con el patrocinio de la Universidad de Mareantes de Sevilla y en este mismo año es enterrada ahí la bisnieta de Cortés, Doña Angela Cortés y Arellano quien falleció en 1663 y fue trasladad a la iglesia cuando esta fue construida.. Una construcción importante ubicada inmediata a la iglesia fue la Capilla de la Tercera Orden, el convento estaba unido a la iglesia por el costado norte y se componía de un patio con celdas en planta alta y bajo, debido a la desamortización de los bienes del ciero algunos años después, sirvieron a la Aduana como grandes depósitos de mercancías y el 5 de mayo de 1871 fue Inaugurada la Biblioteca del Pueblo en el área de la iglesia. En 1872 se instaló un faro sobre la torre del convento que llevó el nombre de Benito Juárez porque su instalación coincidió con la muerte del Benemérito de las Américas. Finalmente en 1964 es liberada de toda ornamentación religiosa y se utiliza para rendir homenaje al presidente Benito Juárez y La Reforma de 1857 promulgada en esta ciudad de Veracruz.. English translation: The Convent of San Francisco. The first temple of the Franciscan Order in the city of Veracruz was built of wood with a small masonry tower. In 1715, in accordance with the decree of “Cal y Canto”, this temple was built of coral masonry, under the sponsorship of the University of Mareantes of Seville. In this same year the great-granddaughter of Cortés, Angela Cortés y Arellano, was buried here. She died in 1663 but was transferred to the church when it was built .. An important construction located immediately next to the church was the Chapel of the Third Order. This convent was united to the church’s north side and was composed of a courtyard with rooms on the top and bottom floors. Due to the confiscation of church property a few years later, it served as a Customs House and large warehouse. On May 5, 1871 the People's Library was inaugurated in the area as the church. In 1872 a lighthouse was installed on the tower of the convent that took its name from Benito Juárez because its installation coincided with the death of the “Most Worthy of the Americas”. Finally, in 1964 all religious ornamentation was removed from the former church and it was designated as a place of tribute to President Benito Juárez and the Reform of 1857 which was promulgated in this city of Veracruz. . This historical marker is in Veracruz in Municipality of Veracruz Mexico

Convento de San Francisco1El primer templo de la orden franciscana en la ciudad de Veracruz estuvo construido en madera con un pequeño torreón de mampostería, en 1715 en atención al decreto de Cal y Canto, el templo es construido de mampostería de piedra múca, con el patrocinio de la Universidad de Mareantes de Sevilla y en este mismo año es enterrada ahí la bisnieta de Cortés, Doña Angela Cortés y Arellano quien falleció en 1663 y fue trasladad a la iglesia cuando esta fue construida.

Una construcción importante ubicada inmediata a la iglesia fue la Capilla de la Tercera Orden, el convento estaba unido a la iglesia por el costado norte y se componía de un patio con celdas en planta alta y bajo, debido a la desamortización de los bienes del ciero algunos años después, sirvieron a la Aduana como grandes depósitos de mercancías y el 5 de mayo de 1871 fue Inaugurada la Biblioteca del Pueblo en el área de la iglesia. En 1872 se instaló un faro sobre la torre del convento que llevó el nombre de Benito Juárez porque su instalación coincidió con la muerte del Benemérito de las Américas. Finalmente en 1964 es liberada

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

2. The Convent of San Francisco Marker

The lighthouse is no longer functional. It was used by Mexican snipers during the 1914 US invasion. During the invasion it was then hit by artillery from the US gunboat "Chester".

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de toda ornamentación religiosa y se utiliza para rendir homenaje al presidente Benito Juárez y La Reforma de 1857 promulgada en esta ciudad de Veracruz.

English translation:
The Convent of San Francisco The first temple of the Franciscan Order in the city of Veracruz was built of wood with a small masonry tower. In 1715, in accordance with the decree of “Cal y Canto”, this temple was built of coral masonry, under the sponsorship of the University of Mareantes of Seville. In this same year the great-granddaughter of Cortés, Angela Cortés y Arellano, was buried here. She died in 1663 but was transferred to the church when it was built .

An important construction located immediately next to the church was the Chapel of the Third Order. This convent was united to the church’s north side and was composed of a courtyard with rooms on the top and bottom floors. Due to the confiscation of church property a few years later, it served as a Customs House and large warehouse. On May 5, 1871 the People's Library was inaugurated in the area as the church. In 1872 a lighthouse was installed on the tower of the convent that took its name from Benito Juárez because its installation coincided with the death of the “Most Worthy of the Americas”. Finally, in 1964 all religious ornamentation was removed from the former church

The Convent of San Francisco image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

3. The Convent of San Francisco

An interior view of the ex-temple of the convent, now used as a tribute to Juárez and other Mexican heroes.

and it was designated as a place of tribute to President Benito Juárez and the Reform of 1857 which was promulgated in this city of Veracruz.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is May 5, 1871.

Location. 19° 12.101′ N, 96° 8.309′ W. Marker is in Veracruz, in Municipality of Veracruz. Marker is on Calle Benito Juárez just west of Avenida Ignacio Zaragoza, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Veracruz 91700, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hemicycle to Juárez (within shouting distance of this marker); The Plaza of the Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Death of Aurelio Monfort (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Monument to Spanish Exiles in Mexico (about 120 meters away); Mail and Telegraph Building (about 150 meters away); First Municipal Council in Mexico (about 150 meters away); Rafael Solana Salcedo (about 150 meters away); The Central Square, Municipal Palace and Cathedral (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Veracruz.

The tomb of Cortés' great-granddaughter, mentioned in the marker text. image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

4. The tomb of Cortés' great-granddaughter, mentioned in the marker text.

Aquí yaze la muy noble Señora Doña Angela Cortés y Arellano, bisnieta del gran capitán y famoso conquistador deste reyno Don Fernand Cortés. Fue su fallecimiento a diezyocho de junio año de 1663. (El marcador adicional lee: Al hacerse la restauración del edificio, se encontró esta lapida que se conservo en su lugar original Marzo de 1968)

English translation:
Here lies the very noble Mrs. Angela Cortés y Arellano, great-granddaughter of the great captain and famous conqueror of this kingdom, Fernand Cortes. She died on June 18, 1663. (The additional marker reads: When the building was restored, this gravestone was found and preserved in its original place. March 1968.)

An additional marker inside the ex-convent that describes its restoration in 1968 image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

5. An additional marker inside the ex-convent that describes its restoration in 1968

La restauracion de este monumento histórico
es un homenaje a
Don Benito Juárez
En este recinto el ilustre patricio promulgo
el primer cuerpo de leyes de la Reforma,
durante los anos de 1859 y 1860, en que Veracruz
fue sede de los poderes de la Union
Fue inaugurado por el C.
Presidente de la Republica.
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz
H. Veracruz, marzo de 1968

English translation:
The restoration of this historic monument
is a tribute to
Benito Juárez
In this enclosure the illustrious patrician promulgated the first body of laws of the Reform
during the years 1859 and 1860, where Veracruz
hosted the government of the Union
It was inaugurated by the
President of the Republic
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz - Veracruz, March 1968

The Convent of San Francisco, also known as the Benito Juárez Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, April 22, 2019

6. The Convent of San Francisco, also known as the Benito Juárez Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 12, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. 6. submitted on July 10, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico.