Capilla de Barragán

This chapel for a small congregation of Capuchin Clares nuns, was built in the 1950s by Mexico's most famous architect, Luis Barragán. A profoundly religious man, he took care of part of the construction costs. He achieved here one of his masterpieces, playing skilfully with texture and light, combining colonial and modern style, creating as such an amazing mysticism.

Entering trough the simple door at Hidalgo 43, you pass a typical yellow wall with small square holes in it. The chapel walls have a rough, harsh texture and are painted bright lemon yellow. The floor is covered with planks of warm wood, reflecting the honey-coloured light that is filtered through a narrow window which indirectly illuminates the interior.
It passes a large, slender orange-painted crucifix from the side, so that its shadow falls on the altar. The place of prayer for the secluded nuns is separated from the main chapel by a painted wooden grid.

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