Museo Nacional del Virreinato
The former college and the Church of San Francisco Javier have been converted into the Museo del Virreinato, with the former college area housing a large collection of art and ordinary objects from the colonial era, and the Church of San Francisco Javier housing one of the most important collections of Churrigueresque altarpieces in Mexico.
A local Indian leader, Martín Maldonado, became impressed with the Jesuits, who had already started a school to teach indigenous languages to priests.
Maldonado made a large donation to the Jesuits in order begin a school for Indian boys.
This school was named San Martín and the boys were taught religion, reading and writing in Spanish and music.
[2] The school complex continued to grow during the 17th century, and the adjoining Church of San Francisco Javier was begun in 1670.
The school continued to increase in prestige and size until 1767, when the Jesuits were expelled from all Spanish-held territory, and the Spanish Crown took possession of all Jesuit-held properties.
In 1859, the Reform Laws declared the complex as property of the nation although the Church of San Francisco Javier still kept offering Mass.
However, in spite of the fact that the complex was turned over to the State of Mexico in 1871, the local populace would not permit it to be used as a jail.
Knowing that Carrasco was a painter, Coss ordered him to paint a portrait of Venustiano Carranza and renounce his collar.
[7] In 1961, restoration work was begun on the church and college complex by then president Adolfo López Mateos and in 1964 it was inaugurated.
Remodeling of the college began in 1961 and finished three years later under the direction of then-president Adolfo López Mateos.
[9] The complex contains a number of interior courtyards, such as the Aljibes and the Naranjo, as well as a domestic chapel, library, dormitories, refectory, and kitchen.
[7] Much of its collection is made of liturgical pieces from the old Museum of Religious Art which was part of the Mexico City Cathedral.
Work in precious metals, especially silver, include a wide variety of monstrance and tabernacles, chalices, reliquaries, naviculas, crosses, censers, candlesticks, and ciboria.
[10] There are exhibits of non-religious everyday items from the colonial period such as silverware and other objects of precious metals, textiles and tools.
The museum's collection of furniture traces the evolution of styles during this period and includes tables, chairs, stools, lecterns, and desks with metal and mother-of-pearl inlay.
Numerous tools, arms and other horsemanship items are found here such as irons, harnesses, swords, guns, locks, stirrups, spurs, trunks, chests, helmets, and complete suits-of-armor.
[10] The museum has fine example of rare feather art, as well as interesting glass objects, mostly from Spain, France, England and Germany.
[8][10] Museum services include guided tours, a library specializing in colonial history and a book store.
In the center of the altarpiece is the image of Company of Jesus co-founder Saint Francis Xavier with a flaming heart shown on his chest, symbolizing divine love.
