Michoacán. San Nicolás Chucándiro

The church front before restoration

Originally founded by the Franciscans and later ceded to the Augustinians as a dependency of Cuitzeo, this early mission in the northern Michoacan lakeland was rebuilt in the 1640s as a full convento. 

the church front as restored

It has recently undergone major work; a round turret has been add to the bell tower and a second belfry built atop the south wall. 

The facade with its imposing cut stone entry has been cleaned and repointed, drawing attention to the unusual reliefs around the doorway, which may represent plants or possibly symbolize the spouting waters of the hot springs that gave Chucándiro its place name, also perhaps related to the reliefs on the sanctuary vault.

Other renovations include the opening up of the old porteria beside the church and refurbishment of the attractive two story cloister notable for its prominent shell reliefs—a classic decorative motif in Michoacán.

Another curiosity is the carved stone atrium cross topped with a sundial.

text © 2022 Richard D. Perry

images courtesy of Niccolo Brooker, Diana Roberts and online sources.