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All Mexico Santiago de Querétaro Parroquia of Santiago Archive

Parroquia of Santiago Archive

A hidden room within the church displays an amazing collection of old choir books.

Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Added By
Mario Yair T.S.
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Apostol Santiago.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Apostol Santiago.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Archive.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Parroquia de Santiago Archive.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of the chorus books.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
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Organ at the temple.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
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About

At first glance, the Parish of Santiago Apostol may seem like any other church in Querétaro. But don't let its ordinary exterior fool you. Deep within the sanctuary is a tiny exhibition hall filled with musical wonders. 

The room is guarded at one end by a baroque quarry door and on the other side by a huge portrait of the convent's benefactors. In the center, showcases display part of the temple's collection of choir books, purposely opened to specific pages to that show off their fine decorations. You'll soon notice that the books are enormous—this is because they were once placed on a lectern in the center of the room so the whole choir could read from the same book. 

The creation of this exhibition space is just the first step that the church administration has taken to publicize its archive. The archive is, according to some, the oldest and most complete within Querétaro. It contains marriage, baptism, and other records that have been in place since 1580.

The church itself originally functioned as a Jesuit temple until 1767, when the congregation was expelled from Spanish territory. Thanks to the Jesuits, the detailed preservation of documents and other works of art that are not in sight remain in the building.

Related Tags

Churches Collections Music Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

The room opens at the usual church hours from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please do not visit during the religious mass. If you visit the temple, do not forget to ask in the building next door for the Baroque courtyard of the Autonomous University of Querétaro.

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Added By

Mario Yair TS

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October 28, 2019

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  • https://www.diariodequeretaro.com.mx/local/parroquia-de-santiago-apostol-aloja-archivos-mas-antiguos-447827.html
Parroquia of Santiago Archive
56A Calle 16 de Septiembre
Santiago de Querétaro, 76000
Mexico
20.59503, -100.389383
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Santiago Carbonell Foundation-Museum

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Santiago de Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro

Mexico

Places 11

Nearby Places

Santiago Carbonell Foundation-Museum

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Santiago de Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro

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Places 11

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