Atotonilco, founded in 1740 and also known as the Mexican Sistine Chapel, is located near the amazing city of San Miguel de Allende.

Very close to the amazing ancient church is a fancy spa/hotel, some great restaurants, and a few earnest local artisans selling carved angels and rosaries. Eventually it will be surrounded by fancy haciendas, as evidenced by all of the construction happening.

Amazingly, it continues to be a working church, despite a steady stream of foreign tourists. One nun was clearly miffed by my taking photos, and grumbled something about how I should probably buy something before I leave.

It is a truly obsessive place that I still haven’t fully taken in. Each inch is worth studying- even the stacks of plastic chairs are interesting if only for their juxtaposition. They pipe in monks singing Gregorian chants on big speakers, and the lights are low and mostly natural, with the exception of a few spots designed to light the message board, alerting the congregation of upcoming events.