Mexico City - La Santa Veracruz

On the far side of Avenida Hidalgo, which bounds Alameda Park on the north, lies the little Plaza Morelos (Plaza 2 de Abril or Plazuela de San Juan de Dios), in which stand two churches. The church of La Santa Veracruz, on the east side of the square, occupies the site of an earlier mid 16th c. church; the present building with its beautiful Churrigueresque main door was consecrated in 1764. The once richly decorated interior has suffered from the attentions of robbers, but still proudly displays a fine crucifix on the high altar which was presented to the church by Charles V. The famous architect and sculptor Manuel Tolsá is buried in the atrium.