Capilla abierta

While some state that these were constructed by friars because the native peoples of that epoch were afraid to enter the dark confines of European-style churches, the more likely reasons for their construction were that they allowed the holding of Mass for enormous numbers of people and the arrangement held similarities to the teocallis or sacred precincts of pre-Hispanic temples.

Portico style chapels can be seen in Tlalmanalco, Atlatlahucan and Cempoala, with the best known of the balcony type being found in Acolman, Mexico State.

In San Juan Teposcolula, the buttresses holding up the roof were placed so that they did not block the view from any point in the atrium.

Another interesting church design with visibility in mind is the Royal Chapel of San Gabriel de Cholula.

[3] The open chapel was predominantly used during the very early colonial period (16th century) in central Mexico, then called New Spain.

[3][5] Some sources state that the capilla abiertas were constructed because the native populations in the 16th century were too afraid to enter the dark confines of European style churches.

[1][6][7] The most likely reason for their construction was the fact that in the early colonial period, there was an enormous number of indigenous people and few friars and priests to evangelize and say Mass.

[3] Another advantage the open chapel/atrium arrangement afforded was that it had similarities to the old teocallis, or sacred precincts of pre-Hispanic temples.

Chapels with altars were constructed in loggias in Spain so that on feast and market days all could attend Mass.

The open chapel here was used not only for Mass but also for plays, music, dance and other events designed to explain and reinforce the faith.

The images in the decoration depict the battle between good and evil, represented by monkeys, lions, angels and cherubs.

[6] The capilla abierta of Teposcolula, one of the biggest open chapels, is a variant of the portico type but slightly more complicated.

The altar is referred to as the “Señor del Cuerito” for the oil painting of Christ to which has been attributed a significant number of miracles.

[9] In the Yucatan Peninsula, two examples of capilla abiertas can be found in the former Mayan cities of Dzibilchaltun and Oxtancah.

Due to strong native resistance, this early Spanish settlement only lasted a few years, but the chapel remains.