Atlatlahuacan, Morelos, San Mateo

Another monumental Augustinian foundation is San Mateo in Atlatlahuacan, located near Yecapixtla, 18 kilometers North of Cuautla, Morelos. Erected between 1570 and 1600 in an enormous atrio, the church is a classic iglesia-fortaleza. Oblique angled buttresses enclose an austere, tall façade, capped with espadaña and merlons. Adjacent and to the left is the open-air chapel with its own, two story espadaña behind which rises an impressive bell tower opened with arches on two levels and, as with the parapet, topped with merlons.