Light Beams And Architecture Marked Celestial Events In Colonial Churches And Missions In New Spain And Perú: New Evidence From Morelia

Research reveals that colonial churches and missions in New Spain (modern-day Mexico) and Peru incorporated architectural designs to mark celestial events, such as equinoxes and solstices, through light beams projected via windows. While similar phenomena are documented in European architecture, this study highlights their presence in the Americas for the first time outside of California missions, with new evidence from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. The findings demonstrate that these designs were not unique to Chiapas or Lima but were also employed in other colonial towns, challenging previous assumptions about regional architectural practices. The study combines archival research and astronomical analysis to trace light alignments, offering insights into the intersection of ecclesiastical iconography and celestial symbolism during the colonial period.

Benfer, R. A. (2016). Light Beams And Architecture Marked Celestial Events In Colonial Churches And Missions In New Spain And Perú: New Evidence From Morelia. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.220973