Built in 1599 the Iglesia de San Hipólito stands before you. Its construction finished in 1740. This magnificent church boasts a classicist facade. It is composed of three sections. The main entrance features a semicircular arch. Flanking it are Tuscan columns and niches. The second section showcases San Hipólito himself. He is carved in stone. Two other statues stand beside him. They are San Antonio Abad and San Antonio de Padua. A stained-glass window of the Virgin Mary adorns the third section. This was added in the last century. The Iglesia de San Hipólito’s two towers stand at a 45-degree angle. They are a unique architectural detail.
The Iglesia de San Hipólito wasn’t always a place of worship. It began as a small hermitage. Hernán Cortés ordered its construction in 1521. It commemorated Spanish soldiers who died during the Noche Triste. This was the tragic retreat of the Spanish from Tenochtitlan on July 1 1520. The current Iglesia de San Hipólito replaced that small chapel. It became a major site for the annual Paseo del Pendón. This procession celebrated the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan. It featured the viceroy church and military officials.
A fascinating legend is linked to the Iglesia de San Hipólito. It involves a farmer. An eagle carried him to a cave. There he was ordered to burn Moctezuma’s thigh. This was to show the emperor’s lack of sensitivity. The farmer was then told to warn Moctezuma. He had to show him the burn mark. The message was a warning from the God of creation. Moctezuma’s arrogance would lead to his downfall. This is commemorated by a monument in the atrium. It depicts an eagle carrying an indigenous person. The inscription tells of the Aztec massacre.
Interestingly the Iglesia de San Hipólito is also closely associated with the first hospital in New Spain. Founded in 1563. It was next to the hermitage. It housed the sick elderly and mentally ill. The hospital underwent renovations in 1770 due to its poor condition. Later its design changed with the creation of the Calle de Héroes. Parts of the complex were demolished.
Today the Iglesia de San Hipólito is known as the Templo de San Judas Tadeo. It’s a popular pilgrimage site. Particularly on October 28th the feast day of San Judas Tadeo. Thousands flock to the church to pay their respects. The church’s rich history continues. It remains a vital part of Mexico City’s cultural landscape. The Iglesia de San Hipólito shows the layers of history that intertwine in this city.