The Tulancingo Cathedral is an architectural work that was built in 1528. The Franciscans requested its construction to dedicate it to San Juan Bautista. It is a building of the colonial religious type, full of contrasts and architectural elements that make it unique in design, style and reconstruction, since it was carried out interventions that completely changed it.
In its beginnings this building was a small church destined to fulfill the function of evangelizing the population of Tulancingo, in Hidalgo, through the Franciscan influence. With the economic and social growth of the place, it prospered to become an imposing temple and architectural masterpiece worthy of admiration.
Tulancingo Cathedral. Cathedrals and Churches
In 1788 it was enlarged by the architect José Damián Ortiz de Castro, who also collaborated in the construction of the cathedral in Mexico. Tulancingo Cathedral stands out in a monumental way in the historic center of Tulancingo.
This architect modified the style to neoclassical, since when the transformation took place Mexico was going through a transition from the Baroque. It is made of gray quarry and its style is sober and simple. Its triangular pediment is supported by two Ionic-style columns that are 17 meters high.
It is located right in front of the main square La Floresta. The exact location of the Tulancingo Cathedral is in the Plaza de la Constitución, downtown Tulancingo 43600, Hidalgo, Mexico.
History
In its beginnings, dating from the year 1528, this cathedral that was built by the Franciscans did not have the proportions that can be admired today. It was a smaller construction, it was a small church.
In 1788, the expansion and restoration was carried out by the architect José Damián Ortiz de Castro, who executed the reconstruction project prepared by the Tulancingo council at that time. In addition, this distinguished architect collaborated in the completion and planning of the Cathedral of Mexico.
The modification that was given to the cathedral of Tulancingo in 1788 was not only an extension, but the style was also changed. The building is directly related to the change from baroque Mexico to neoclassical Mexico.
On the front of the cathedral of Tulancingo you can see a striking English London clock dating from the year 1820. It measures about 80 centimeters in diameter with 1 meter of dial.
Weight estimates are close to a ton and a half, and it can only be accessed by means of a ladder, as it is located 27 meters high. History tells that this watch was transferred to Tulancingo in 1830 from England by sea.
characteristics
The cathedral of Tulancingo is classified as the most important building in the place and constitutes one of the few evidences of the population's past. Its main characteristic, which is also what draws the attention of the cathedral at first glance, is its imposing architecture. In its beginnings it was only a small church built by the Franciscans who arrived in Hidalgo.
To this day, after modifications that have taken place over time, the cathedral reflects the greatness, economic stability and humility of the authorities who built the neoclassical temple that can be admired today.
When the neoclassical prevailed over the baroque, many transformations were made to the old baroque-style buildings. There were also contradictions between the different architects, since there were those who rejected the new coatings and the stylistic model, since many baroque altarpieces and history were destroyed.
Despite the discrepancies, New Spain's society accepted the change in style. It was assumed as a change related to progress and a return to a more pure style.
Likewise, it was concluded that the baroque was in bad taste. In the specific case of the church that became the Cathedral of Tulancingo, the reconstruction was complete.
The reconstruction of the Church of Tulancingo
The reconstruction carried out by the architect Ortiz de Castro expanded the church by more than 300 meters, and also increased the height of the walls. Two bell towers were added, the transept, the vestibule and the dome.
To solve the problem of the narrowness of the old church, Ortiz projected the enormous cubes of the towers outside the building's parameters. In this way, he managed to gain horizontality and distance, in addition to a total height of 41.3 meters from the ground to the pinnacles.
In the temple you can find a single nave with an extension of 58 meters, a transept 40 meters long by 12 wide and the main altarpiece is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The interior is of gray quarry, elegant and sober.
On its façade, a triangular-shaped neoclassical pediment is also appreciated, which welcomes when entering the temple. The dome is octagonal in shape and has a small lantern.
Other characteristics that attract a lot of visitors' attention are: the baptismal font carved exclusively in stone, the main altar and the wooden pulpit with an extraordinary decoration in relief, the sundial located in its patios and an atrial cross.
Legends
As for the legends that are related to the cathedral of Tulancingo, only one is linked and stands out, the one that refers to the tunnels found inside the temple, which lead to a kind of underground passageways.
Unfortunately there is no specific information on the address or connection that these could have with any other nearby building. Nor that it is an exit to any of the streets or, even, that they are the entrance to catacombs where the remains of an important priest or bishop of the congregation have been left to rest.
It is far from a possible answer, as the congregation in charge of the cathedral has no intention of starting any kind of investigation. For now, only uncertainty and mystery remain.
References
- Cortés Rocha, X. (2019). The towers of the cathedral of Mexico. The work of José Damián Ortiz de Castro. Taken from sedhc.es
- Lazos, J. (2019). Between cathedrals and parishes: a forgotten fragment of sound memory in 19th century Mexico. Taken from resonancias.uc.cl
- Medina, M. (2019). Unveiling The Past: José Damián Ortiz De Castro And The Parish Project, Today Tulancingo Cathedral. Taken from lasallep.edu.mx
- Pacheco Medina, M. (2019). THE CATHEDRAL OF TULANCINGO: ARCHITECTURE AT THE SERVICE OF DEVOTION. Taken from ceder.ulagos.cl
- Pacheco Medina, M. (2019). San Juan Bautista: Treasure of the cloister of the Cathedral of Tulancingo. Taken from repository.uaeh.edu.mx