Temple of the Hospital of San Francisco (the little hospital)

The oldest guardian and his tragic secret

Located on the corner of Ibarra and Federico Tena streets, this small building is a historical gem often overlooked by mass tourism. Affectionately known by locals as "El Hospitalito," it holds the title of being the oldest church in Pátzcuaro, having opened its doors around 1545.

Cradle of Evangelization Its construction marked the arrival of the Franciscan order, the first to set foot in the lake region. Originally, it was part of a hospital complex (now gone) where not only was the body healed, but Christian doctrine was taught, following the model of the hospital-towns of Don Vasco de Quiroga.

Architecture and Treasures Despite its modest size, its artistic value is immense:

• The Portal: It is a pure example of the 16th-century Renaissance style. Observe its classical lines in the quarry stone; it is one of the few structures that survive almost intact from the early colonial period.

• The Interior: Dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, it houses a main altar with an excellent carved and gilded wooden frontal, historically cared for by the indigenous hands that built and maintained this enclosure.

🕯️ El Privilegio Negado: La Tragedia de Gertrudis Bocanegra Este templo poseía una antigua venia o “Derecho de Asilo”: la tradición dictaba que cualquier condenado a muerte que lograra entrar en él (o tocar sus puertas) obtenía el perdón inmediato de su sentencia.

History recounts a heartbreaking episode: When the heroine Gertrudis Bocanegra was being led to San Agustín Square to be executed by firing squad in 1817, the execution route passed directly in front of "El Hospitalito." It is said that she tried to enter to claim this sacred right and save her life, but royalist soldiers blocked her access, denying her mercy and sealing her fate as a martyr of Independence.

Location: Corner of Ibarra and Federico Tena Streets. Tip: To complete the Franciscan experience, walk a few meters to the Temple of San Francisco, where the famous Plateresque doorway is located.