Santa Rosa de Viterbo - The Baroque Jewel of Querétaro, Mexico

Rising out of the plaza of Mariano de las Casas, the church of Santa Rosa de Viterbo is one of the most stunning examples of Baroque architecture in Querétaro, Mexico and many say the world. The church of Santa Rosa de Viterbo was originally a large house constructed in 1670 in order to provide accommodations to the nuns who worshiped Santa Rosa de Viterbo (from Italy). It was not until the middle of the 17th century that the Viceroy Done Juan de Acuña decided to donate money to the sisters so that they could build the Church that is famous worldwide today.

The church was designed by the famous baroque architect Mariano de las Casas, and was completed in 1752. The exterior of the Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo boasts of a impressive red dome as well as an intricate baroque steeple that is composed of two levels. The clock on the steeple is said to be the first working mechanical clock in Latin America. The walls are covered in blue and white tiles that are arranged in a unique layout. The most striking feature of the exterior is the two horn shaped buttresses holding up the north facing wall of the church.

Though the exterior of the church is impressive it is not until one goes inside that the true beauty of the temple can be appreciated. On the interior a visitor will be greeted by an immense wall covered by large altar pieces carved out of cypress trees and covered in gold. At the head of the church you can see a pulpit that is also carved of wood and covered in ivory, silver and tortoise shell. Unfortunately not all of the interior is as it was, since some of the original construction was destroyed in 1849 after the Mexican Revolution.

Today, the Santa Rosa de Viterbo still holds a central part in the daily live of the people of Queretaro. The plaza Mariano de las Casas was created in the early 90's in order to create a place from which everybody could admire the beauty of the church. The small detail that the history books neglect to mention about the plaza is that the government virtually forced the residences who lived in the old casona's that used to be located in the plaza out of there homes in order to destroy them and create the plaza.

In 2008, the Queretaro government put in place a large dancing fountain in this plaza that puts on a song and dance show every 15 minutes all day everyday. On Friday and Saturday night the population of Queretaro gather to enjoy a special light and music show at the fountain after evening mass. On Thursdays there are free cultural activities in and around the church. But any night of the week it is worthwhile enjoying a coffee at one of the many small restaurants and coffee shops surrounding the plaza.

For anybody visiting Querétaro, Mexico the church of Santa Rosa de Viterbo is a must see...