Church of San Francisco Javier, Tepotzotlán

The Church of San Francisco Javier is a baroque Jesuit temple in Tepotzotlán featuring elaborate cedar altarpieces covered in gold leaf and displaying 93 carved figures across its decorated facade. The building stands as part of a larger complex that also houses the Museum of Viceroyalty with Spanish Colonial artwork.

The Jesuit complex was founded in 1670 when the order established three schools, including the College of San Francisco Javier for training novices. This construction marked an important moment in spreading Jesuit education throughout the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

The main altar displays paintings by Mexican artist Miguel Cabrera, showing how European and local artistic traditions merged during colonial times. This blend appears throughout the church and reveals how two cultures created something entirely new together.

The temple sits about 40 kilometers from Mexico City and forms part of a larger complex with a museum displaying colonial artwork. Visitors should plan enough time to explore both the church building and the collections in the neighboring museum.

The Chapel of the Camarín de Loreto was completed in 1733 and was designed specifically for seminarians to create an otherworldly experience through its elaborate decorations. This hidden chapel shows a different approach to space compared to the main area and deserves its own visit.