Templo de San Felipe Neri

La Profesa

Baroque-style church established by the Jesuit order in the late 16th century and completed in 1610. The church is famous for its extensive art collection, some of which is on display for public viewing in an attached art gallery. The art was commissioned by the Jesuits during their first two centuries in Mexico. The collection remained intact when the Jesuits were expelled from all lands of the Spanish Empire during the 18th century. The building itself is admired for its early baroque architecture, which was more restrained than the effusive opulence of later churches, but that restraint did not extend to the church interior, which features many sculptures and period oil paintings, as well as architectural details like the extravangant Neoclassical main altar (designed by Manuel Tolsa to replace the original altar), covered in gold leaf. The art collection is one of the largest collections of early Mexican art and the gallery features four salons. Salon 1 contains the earliest works in the collection, mostly by well-known artists in Spain. Salon 2 boldly features a huge painting of Saint Philip Neri and the room is dedicated to works associated with the saint, as well as portraits of 11 popes. Salon 3 is a historical perspective of religious art from the 17th through 19th century with paintings depicting Biblical scenes and portraits of saints from those centuries. Salon 4 features works from the 18th century with two prominent paintings by Miguel Correa, one showing the torments of hell and the second showing judgment day as the good are separated from the evil.

• museum
• history

Address

Isabel La Católica 21

Getting there

one block west of Zocalo

Hours

public access Mon-Fri 10:30 - 14:00, Sat-Sun mass only, no public tours