San Bernardino de Siena Church, Xochimilco

The church and former monastery complex was built in the 16th century over a former pre-Hispanic temple as part of evangelization efforts after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Since its construction, it has been the center of much of Xochimilco’s history and social life, including ceremonies related to is famous image of the Child Jesus called the Niñopa.

[1] However, as Xochimilco was the most important settlement in the south of the Valley of Mexico, construction of a monumental church began in 1535 under the direction of Francisco de Soto.

[2] A number of smaller satellite churches were also founded, such as the chapel of San Pedro, as well as a hospital called Concepción Tlacoapa.

[3] As the population adopted Christianity, they were allowed to keep a number of traditional practices to mix with Catholic rites.

It and other images of its type were promoted by the evangelists to replace a cult to a child god which was prevalent in Xochimilco at the time of the Conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Today, this image is cared for by one family for a year, changing houses on 2 February with this most important annual event of the borough occurring at this church.

[1] The church and monastery underwent major restoration work in the 1960s, covering the architectural elements as well as the paintings, altarpieces and sculpture.

[3] San Bernardino is located in the historic center of Xochimilco, across from the former town’s main plaza and borough hall.

At the top of the facade are various merlons, originally constructed for defense purposes, a clock from the 19th century and small bell gable.

[2] This area leads to the former monastery cloister, whose upper level contains remnants of frescos from the colonial period.

[1] There is also a small chapel called the Capilla de la Tercera Orden, located just outside the cloister.

[3] Among the various statues on this main altar, there is a relief of Bernardino of Siena surrounded with sculptures representing the indigenous leaders who helped to build the church and monastery.

[2] In the rest of the church and monastery there are paintings and frescos, some of which are by famous artists such as Baltasar de Echave, his son Simon Pereyns, Sánchez Samerón Caravaggio, Francisco Martínez, Luis Arciniegas and Juan Martínez Montañés.