Beneath that unusual roof lies a story of faith art and architectural innovation at the Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe. This church also known as the Church of the Mexicans stands as a testament to unique design and cultural exchange.
The Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe’s story began in the 1960s. Its construction spanned from 1961 to 1967. The architects Enrique de la Mora y Palomar and José Ramón Azpiazu conceived the design. Engineers José Antonio Torroja and Félix Candela brought the vision to life. This collaboration resulted in a building that defies conventional church architecture.
Notice the octagonal floor plan. It is inscribed within a circle measuring 53.74 meters in diameter. The roof is the most striking feature. Eight hyperbolic paraboloids each only four centimeters thick form the roof. These thin shells create a sense of lightness and space.
Look closely at the side closures. They consist of folded plates combined with stained glass windows. The stained glass adds color and light to the interior. Four hollow central pillars support the roof. The lateral surfaces also use paraboloid shapes.
Inside the Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe the altar is centrally located. The congregation spreads around it in an amphitheater style. This design creates a processional church. A wide aisle at the higher level allows people to move around freely.
The altar and iron candelabras are the work of Eladio García de Santibáñez. He also designed the wooden altar stalls and ambo in the presbytery.
Descend into the crypt. Here you will find a wrought iron sliding gate. It is another creation of Eladio García de Santibáñez. A semicircular mural behind the presbytery depicts the meeting of pre-Hispanic and Hispanic cultures. Roses of Castile emerge from this meeting.
The design by Enrique de la Mora marked the first project by a Mexican architect in Spain. Félix Candela’s formwork for the building has been called masterful. The church is located on Calle Puerto Rico number 1 in the Hispanoamérica district.
You can reach the Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe via Metro line 9 at Concha Espina station. Buses 52 120 and 43 also stop nearby.
The Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe also known as the Church of the Mexicans is more than just a building. It is a symbol of architectural ingenuity artistic collaboration and cultural fusion. As you leave take a moment to appreciate the unique beauty. Remember the story of the architects engineers and artists who created this special place the Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe.