“Escuela del Amor de Dios y Desprecio del Diablo” The inscription above the entrance whispers a promise. A promise of spiritual refuge. A promise fulfilled for centuries within these very walls. Welcome to the Antigua Ermita de Don Vasco de Quiroga.
This unassuming chapel stands as a silent witness to Mexico City’s rich history. It wasn’t always a cultural center. It began as a private oratory. A humble place of prayer far from the bustling town of Santa Fe. Imagine the quiet devotion within its walls centuries ago.
Originally built far from the village center the Ermita held a special significance. It served as a spiritual anchor for 16th-century colonial life. It was here in this quiet valley that the Venerable Gregorio Lopez lived. A hermit and healer he wrote the region’s standard medical guide. His work was consulted for over two hundred years. His legacy is woven into the very stones of this building.
Though not his residence the site served as a religious installation. It later gained the inscription proclaiming its dedication to God’s love and the contempt for evil. Built in 1695 the building embodies this enduring spirit. Lopez’s remains were later moved to the metropolitan cathedral. His cause for beatification was suspended. He is still revered as the Venerable Gregorio Lopez.
Today the Antigua Ermita de Don Vasco de Quiroga is vibrant. It’s a dynamic cultural hub teeming with activity. Workshops art exhibitions music and dance fill its spaces. These walls echo with the sounds of modern life. A modern life that builds upon a rich spiritual past. The hermitage is a place of beauty. It is a place of learning and a place of community. It’s a reminder that faith and culture are timeless forces. This is more than a building. It’s a living testament to faith perseverance and the enduring spirit of Mexico City.