La Valenciana Church | |
---|---|
Iglesia de la Valenciana (Spanish) | |
Denomination | Catholic |
Tradition | Roman Rite |
History | |
Dedication | Saint Cajetan |
Architecture | |
Style | Churrigueresque |
Groundbreaking | 1775 |
Completed | 1788 |
Administration | |
Archdiocese | León |
The La Valenciana or San Cayetano church is an 18th-century Mexican Churrigueresque church built at the opening of the La Valenciana mine, the site of the largest vein of silver found in Mexico. It was built by Antonio de Ordóñez y Alcocer, the owner of the mine, to give thanks to his patron saint, Saint Cajetan, for the riches the mine provided. The church is noted for use of gold leaf, especially the main altarpieces which are completely covered in the metal. The church is also a site of the Festival Internacional Cervantino.