Parroquia de Jesús Nazareno: Cortés's Final Resting Place

The Parroquia de Jesús Nazareno e Inmaculada Concepción stands as a profound link to Mexico City's origins, built on a site steeped in history. It is located adjacent to the Hospital de Jesús Nazareno, the first hospital on the American continent, and is believed to mark the spot of a pivotal moment in world history.

A Historic Encounter and Groundbreaking Hospital

The location of the church and hospital complex is traditionally held to be Huitzillan, the place where Hernán Cortés and the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II first met in 1519. This encounter marked the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

In 1524, just a few years later, Cortés ordered the construction of the Hospital de la Purísima Concepción y Jesús Nazareno. It was the first hospital established in the Americas and has been in continuous operation ever since. In a surprising act detailed in his will, Cortés dedicated the hospital not to Spanish soldiers, but to the care of the sons of Aztec warriors who had died during the conquest. This secular mission helped the institution survive later reforms that dissolved many religious establishments.

Architectural and Artistic Heritage

The church itself was constructed between the 17th and 18th centuries, officially opening in 1668, with further modifications in the 19th century. Its architecture is a blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. A notable feature is the lateral Renaissance facade facing Plaza de Jesús, which was added in the 19th century by Italian architect José Besozzi. The church also incorporates the original facade from the first Mexico City Cathedral, which was dismantled in 1628, preserving a rare piece of 16th-century architecture.

Inside, the church holds an uncompleted mural by the renowned artist José Clemente Orozco. Painted between 1942 and 1944 in the choir and nave, the work draws inspiration from the Apocalypse and the horrors of World War II.

The Secret of Hernán Cortés's Remains

One of the church's most significant secrets is that it serves as the final resting place for Hernán Cortés. The Spanish conqueror's remains are interred inconspicuously within the church, marked only by a small, easily overlooked red plaque near the altar. The history of his remains is tumultuous; they were moved multiple times to protect them. In one notable incident in 1823, a priest lied to an angry mob, claiming the bones had been stolen to prevent their desecration.

The Church and Hospital Today

Today, the Parroquia de Jesús Nazareno remains an active Catholic church, hosting services and religious festivities, including the Feast of Jesús Nazareno during Lent and the feast of the Inmaculada Concepción on December 8th. The adjacent Hospital de Jesús Nazareno continues its 500-year-old mission, operating as a nonprofit teaching institution with modern facilities housed in a newer building, while the historic colonial structure is preserved.