The Church of Santa Ana [] The History of Art in San Miguel

Published January 3, 2024

by: Natalie Taylor

The church of Santa Ana, at its current location on Insurgentes and Reloj, began as a school for girls in 1734. Some years later, a shelter for women was also added. It was a beaterio—a complex for lay women who wish to retire from the world, and live in a community, without having to take vows. In practical terms it was a place of refuge for orphaned girls, single, and widowed women.

The church of Santa Ana presents an austere, foreboding exterior. The high, unadorned walls, the jutting buttresses, and massive wooden door give the appearance of a fortress, a building as a protective enclosure. But when you step within, you are instead confronted with a lovely, welcoming interior. The well-proportioned groin vaults in the ceiling, the simple crystal chandelier, the solid columns, the rich wooden aisle imbedded on a ceramic floor, and the judicious use of gold ornamentation create an elegant, inviting space.

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