Santa Prisca Church, Colonial church in Taxco de Alarcón, Mexico.
Santa Prisca is a Baroque church in Taxco de Alarcón built in the Churrigueresque style, distinguished by twin towers on its main facade. Inside, nine wooden altarpieces covered in gold leaf line the walls, while classical pilasters frame the architectural spaces.
José de la Borda, a wealthy mine owner, commissioned the construction between 1751 and 1758, funding the project with his silver fortune. The building arose during a period when Taxco was a major center for silver extraction and trade.
The interior displays paintings by Miguel Cabrera, including the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian and the Assumption, which show how colonial Mexican artists portrayed religious stories for worshippers. These works reflect the artistic traditions that developed when European and local traditions met in Mexico.
The site is open daily for visitors and religious services, with guided tours available for those wishing to explore architectural details. It is respectful to dress appropriately and note when photography may not be permitted during ceremonies.
Active silver mining operations continue beneath the church, creating ongoing challenges for the building's structural integrity. This underground activity has required special preservation techniques to keep the structure stable.
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