Iglesia de Santiago

The Spanish victory over the Aztecs at Tlatelolco was divinely attributed to Santiago, patron saint of Spain, whose legendary defeat of the Moors in the Old Country gave him mythical infidel-crushing qualities. The church the Spanish built on the ruins of the Aztec temples was named in honour of Santiago and is still a working place of worship, although at the time of writing of V!VA's visit it was closed for refurbishment. Inside there is a relief showing the saint vanquishing his foes, some pointedly attired in Aztec-style feathered headdresses.

The convent, next to the church, was also once a college that the founders hoped would educate the native elite for the priesthood. The idea was eventually abandoned when the potential priests were found to have conflicting loyalties. Instead of entering the church, many of them became teachers to their Spanish masters. More recently, what may be Mexico's biggest and oldest mural was discovered in an ancient water channel underneath the convent. Believed to date from the 1530s, scientists are currently busy restoring the artwork and hope to display it in a new museum in or near the site in 2009.

Location:
Plaza de las Tres Culturas, Eje Central with Eje Uno Norte
Mexico City, Mexico

Historical Building Types:
Churches

Getting There
Walk up Lázaro Cardenas from Metro Garibaldi, the church is next to the Tlatelolco.