Sepulcro de Villaseca, Renaissance sepulcher in Historic Center, Mexico
The Sepulcro de Villaseca stands within San Miguel Arcangel Church on San Jeronimo Street, displaying white marble columns and statues representing cardinal virtues. The Renaissance monument showcases the stone craftsmanship typical of the period in which it was built.
Built in the middle of the 16th century, this monument contains the remains of Alonso de Villaseca, a Spanish settler who acquired wealth through mining. The tomb experienced several relocations before finding its place in this church.
The sepulcher displays religious and secular symbols together, with family crests alongside representations of cardinal virtues. This blend speaks to how faith, family pride, and moral values intertwined in the lives of wealthy settlers of that era.
The monument is accessible within the church, where visitors can examine the Renaissance architectural details and marble craftsmanship closely. Plan time to study the fine details and ornamental features of this stone work.
The sepulcher was relocated multiple times, including a move in 1784 from the Jesuit church of San Pedro y San Pablo to its present location. These changes in placement reveal how the importance and use of different churches shifted over time.
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