Capilla de las Capuchinas Sacramentarias, 1952-55

The Entrance

The Plan

The Pool and the Modular Concrete Screen

Patio Steps to the Chapel

All Photos by Ignacio J. Padilla

Background: Luis Barragan was offered a modest budget to remodel the existing chapel. He asked the nuns if he could carry out a more ambitious plan, at his own cost that way he could oversee the entire project. The Convent of The Capuchinas Sacrametarias, is one of Barragan's most important works. It is very colorful using natural light to light the chapel and it plays an important roll to accent the colors: yellow, Orange, pink, and a halo of gold.

The Convent is open Mon. - Thrs. from 10am-12pm & 4pm-6pm. It is located in Miguel Hidalgo St, Tlalpan, Mexico City. Phone # is +52 55 73 2395 It is important that you call in advance to make an appointment because they might have special religious event during visit hrs. There is a $50 peso "donation" entrance fee, however, a nun guides you through the chapel and gives you information about the site. Like in many places you visit in Mexico City, No pictures allowed inside the building except in the courtyard.

The Courtyard is simple in design representing the nuns way of life. The pavement is made of black volcanic tile stones probably to represent nature's serenity. There is a cross that emerges from one of the patio walls, that adds energy and gives beautiful shadows that other wise it would be a static plane. Opposite from the cross is the iconic yellow modular concrete screen-wall that is connected to an elevated pool of water that the nuns used to arrange flowers for the near by altar. The pool is black in color and it is filled to the top to create a mirror image of the concrete screen.

The site is an example of simplicity, harmony, and mysticism. La Capilla de las Capuchinas has been classified by some experts as "a space blessed by light", do to the manipulation of light and color. If you are religious you might experience a feeling of peace like I did.

I want to that the nun who gave me her blessing after I left the chapel. It gave me a sense of tranquility as I venture in the urban Jungle of Mexico City.