Capilla abierta

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double-arched capilla abierta at the Franciscan mission of Santiago de Jalpan in Jalpan de Serra , Querétaro
Bell tower and Capilla abierta at the former monastery of San Francisco de Asís in Tlaxcala , Tlaxcala
multi-arched Capilla abierta at the former monastery of San Luis Obispo in Tlalmanalco , México
multi-arched Capilla abierta at the former monastery of Santa María Magdalena in Cuitzeo , Michoacán
Capilla abierta in front of the former Santiago Apóstol monastery in Cuilápam de Guerrero , Oaxaca

The Spanish term Capilla abierta (sometimes also Capilla de Indios ) describes the architectural form of open chapels , as they were built in New Spain since the 16th century, mainly by the mendicant orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans , in order to accommodate the numerous members of the after the Spanish conquest of Mexico indigenous peoples proselytize to.

architecture

Instead of a laterally closed and roofed church space , there was an open space in front of the sacred space of a capilla abierta , where a large crowd could attend the services. By building such open chapels instead of large church buildings, on the one hand, a quick completion was guaranteed, and on the other hand, the conduct of church services in the open air made it possible to tie in with the customs of the indigenous inhabitants who were not used to the religious ceremonies celebrated by priests in to attend closed rooms. Due to its practicality, the design was ultimately recognized by all religious orders, with different construction variations occurring - there are single or multi-arched capillas , which opened onto an open area - mostly walled. A very unusual example is the former three-aisled Capilla abierta of Cuilápam de Guerrero near Oaxaca .

The balcony windows in the facades of many cathedral and monastery churches in New Spain could serve the same purpose; the main square ( Plaza Mayor ) of a city was then the 'church room'.

conservation

In later times, many of these original structures were destroyed and replaced by churches. Open chapels that have been preserved can still be found in Cuernavaca , Tlaxcala , Cuitzeo and at the Franciscan missions in the Sierra Gorda and in Dzibilchaltún and Maní on the Yucatàn peninsula.

literature

  • Rafael García Granados: Capillas de indios en Nueva España (1530-1605). Archivo Español de Arte Volume 11, 1935, pp. 3ff.
  • Juan Benito Artigas: Capillas abiertas aisladas de México. Mexico, UNAM , 1982.
  • George Kubler : Arquitectura mexicana del siglo XVI. Mexico, FCE , 1982.

Web links

Commons : Capilla abierta  - collection of images, videos and audio files