Could these walls whisper secrets of an era long gone? The Iglesia de Santa Cruz del Monte stands before us. It is more formally known as the Church of Santa Cruz y La Soledad. This Roman Catholic parish church is rich in history. It is a testament to Mexico City’s layered past.
The parish of Santa Cruz y La Soledad holds a significant place. It was the seventh parish established in Mexico City. Initially, it served as an Augustinian doctrina de indios. This means it was a center for religious instruction for the indigenous population. The archbishop secularized it in 1750.
The original church was known as Santa Cruz. Historical documents suggest its architecture was Renaissance style. It was constructed with masonry and topped with a sandstone vault. The Augustinians oversaw the church from 1633 to 1750. The Virgen de la Soledad was its most prized feature.
After the Augustinians departed, Father Gregorio Pérez Cancio led the rebuilding. Architects such as Cayetano de Sigüenza contributed. Others were Ildefonso Iniesta Bejarano, Francisco Antonio de Guerrero y Torres and Ignacio Castera. The reconstruction finished in 1787. The church was consecrated in 1792.
Over the years, the Iglesia de Santa Cruz del Monte faced challenges. Its annex became a home for indigenous people in the 1930s. It also served as a school. This left the church with only half its original space. Thefts occurred between the 1940s and 1970s. Candelabras and silver chalices disappeared. A bus crash in 1970 damaged the outer fence. It also cracked an exterior wall. Despite these setbacks, it was declared a national monument in 1931. Restoration work in 1982 helped revive its colonial charm.
The façade showcases Neoclassical style. Gray sandstone covers the 18th-century building. Pilasters of the same material divide the facade into five sections. The main portal has two levels and a crest. The ornamentation includes symbols of the Passion. Figures of John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene are present. The second level features an image of the Virgen de la Soledad. Ionic pilasters frame her. Sculptures of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea also adorn the facade. An entablature tops the structure. It contains crests and a curved pediment with a cross relief. Circular bell towers with four arches flank the facade.
Inside, the church has a rectangular layout with three naves. Six Neoclassical columns support the main nave. Arches support other parts of the building. Barrel vaults with lunettes form the roof in the central nave. The cupola has an octagonal shape. Above the presbytery, another vault and eight small barrel vaults form the roof. Red and white mosaics cover the main nave floor. Green and white mosaics decorate the presbytery. A marble staircase adds to the interior’s grandeur. Eight windows line the side walls and eight are in the cupola. These allow ample natural light to flood the space.
The choir area extends over the back of the three naves. Three arches support it. A wrought iron railing with original small bells encloses the area. The wooden tabernacle houses an image of the Virgen de la Soledad. She wears a black robe with silver embroidery.
The current marble altar dates to 1903. It reflects Neoclassical design, matching the pulpit and choir balustrade. Most furnishings are from the 19th century. Paintings adorn the sacristy. A notable one is Miguel Cabrera’s “La Santísima Trinidad.”
The Iglesia de Santa Cruz y La Soledad stands as a testament to resilience. It is a place where history and faith intertwine.