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San Bernardino de Siena Church is the parish church of the borough of Xochimilco in Mexico City. The church and former monastery complex was built in the 16th century over a former pre Hispanic temple as part of evangelization efforts after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Since its construction, it has been the center of much of Xochimilco’s history and social life, including ceremonies related to is famous image of the Child Jesus called the Niñopa. The interior of the church contains a rare 16th-century altarpiece in Plateresque style with no columns or other such supports. The only other altarpiece like it is in Huejotzingo, Puebla. ==History== When the Spanish arrived, Xochimilco was a dependency of Tenochtitlan and sided with the Aztecs against the Spanish. Hernán Cortés attacked Xochimilco in 1521 just before attacking Tenochtitlan which left few from survivors. After the fall of the Aztec Empire, evangelization here began rapidly, with the last Xochimilco ruler Apochquiyauhtzin baptized with the name of Luís Cortés Cerón de Alvarado in 1522, which allowed him to remain ruler. Martín de Valencia started formal mass evangelization in 1524, along with other monks such as Alfonso Paz Monterrey, Juan de Nozarmendia, Juan Lazcano, Cristóbal de Zea, Gregorio Basurto, Pedro de Gante, Francisco de Gamboa, Francisco Soto, Juan de Gaona, Bernardino de Sahagún and Francisco Bautista.〔 〕 Initially, a small church was built on the site of the old pre Hispanic temple.〔 However, as Xochimilco was the most important settlement in the south of the Valley of Mexico, construction of a monumental church was begun in 1535 under the direction of Francisco de Soto .〔 〕 In addition a number of smaller satellite churches were begun such as the chapel of San Pedro as well as a hospital called Concepción Tlacoapa.〔 The church and monastery complex was built in various stages from 1535 to 1600. The monastery portion was completed by 1538, with further dormitories and other areas for resident monks finished by 1585 as well as the main church.〔 〕 The cloister was completely finished in 1604.〔 Most of the money for construction was provided by the indigenous leaders of Xochimilco, with Martín Cerón de Álvaro providing most.〔 Since then, much of the history and social life of Xochimilco has revolved around this church. Since its founding, it has served as a center of social cohesion and identity for the town and the borough.〔 Due to the lack of monks, the Franciscans decided to withdraw the few that were there in 1538. However, the indigenous of the area protested and two were allowed to remain on a permanent basis.〔 In 1552, part of the main portal fell and was reconstructed, finished in 1590.〔 In 1569, there were four monks in charge of the evangelization of about 5,000 indigenous with Friar Jerónimo de Mendieta in charge. In 1585, the number increased to six. A school was founded at the monastery in 1609 to teach rhetoric, theology as well as arts and letters.〔 The church was in charge of various communities outside of Xochimilco proper including Santiago Tepalcatlalpan, San Lucas Xochimanca, San Mateo Pochtla, San Miguel Topilejo, San Francisco Tlalnepantla, San Salvador Cuautenco, Santa Cecilia Ahuautla, San Andrés Ocoyoacac, San Lorenzo Tlatecpan, San Martín Tiatilpan, Santa Maria Nativitas Zacapan and Santa Cruz Acalpixcan, which are now in the boroughs of Xochimilco and Tlalpan.〔 As the population adopted Christianity, they were allowed to keep a number of traditional practices to mix with Catholic rites.〔 The best known of these traditions centers on the Niñopa, an image of the Child Jesus which dates to the 16th century. It and other images of its type were promoted by the evangelists to replace a cult to a child god which was prevalent in Xochimilco at the time of the Conquest. Today, this image is cared for by a family for a year, changing houses on 2 February with this most important annual event of the borough occurring at this church.〔 〕 〔 〕〔 〕 The church and former monastery were declared a national monument in 1932.〔 The church and monastery underwent major restoration work in the 1960s on both the architectural elements as well as the paintings, altarpieces and sculpture. During this same time there was pressure to use parts of the vast complex and atrium for other uses. Two primary schools, Vicente Riva Palacio and Ignacio Ramírez, were on the property until the 1970s.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「San Bernardino de Siena Church, Xochimilco」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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