La Parroquia, a pink, Gothic parish church, is one of San Miguel de Allende’s (Mexico) most famous landmarks as well as one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in Mexico. Standing in the city’s main square called El Jardin, the church was originally built in 1683 but was given a facelift in 1880. It was originally built in a plain Fanciscan style, but two centuries later an Indian architect, Zeferino Gutierres, gave the church an imposing facelift. With no formal training, this self-taught man added the tower and Gothic-style facade of pink-hued sandstone, supposedly using postcard pictures of French Gothic cathedrals as his inspiration! A statue of St. Michael the Archangel, namesake of both town and church, adorns the main altar. The original bell, also referered to as St. Michael and cast in 1732, begins ringing early in the morning to summon parishioners; it is still an active house of worship. I was very impressed with this church. It dominated everything around it. It was clear that it held a very special place for the citizens of San Miguel to meet and socialize.
Here is a corner of the square. The central plaza "El Jardin" is on the left.
My wife and I visited San Miguel in November 2003. We intended to stay over a couple of nights and return to Guanojuato. Unfortunately I was stricken with food poisoning from a very highly recommended restaurant named El Atrio de La Capilla and decided to return a day early.
I photographed this young woman lighting candles in the main dining area that night.
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