San Diego del Pitiquito

 

The church at Pitiquito, today. This church was either built or remodeled from the previous Franciscan temple, during the 1770's. Photo by Alberto Suarez Barnett

The main altar in Pitiquito is deeply symbolic. The dome representing the heavens coronating the altar, painted in blue with golden stars. Underneath it, four columns. And in the sides of the altar, four angels carry the symbols of the Passion. Photo taken by Alberto Suarez Barnett

Painting of the Virgin of the Apocalipsis, which is identified by the Moon in the feet, and the Sun at one side. However, this virgin can also be interpreted as the Queen of Heavens, as it also has a crown with twelve stars, symbolizing the twelve apostles, as well as the twelve tribes of Israel. Finally, nine cherubs surround the image. Photo taken by Alberto Suarez Barnett

 

A human skeleton receives the visitor to the temple. Above the skeleton, a red finger points to the words: "Mane Thecal Phares" from the Fifth Book of Daniel. According to the biblical story, the words "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" appeared in the wall where King Balshazzar was using the chalices of the Jerusalem Temple in a party. When the magician of the King couldn't guess their meaning, Prophet Daniel was then asked to translate them. He did it, by telling the King that his kingdom would end and would be divided among the Medes and Persas. That same same night, King Belshazzar was murdered and the King of the Medas took over his kingdom. Photo by Alberto Suarez Barnett

You can get to Pitiquito by following Highway No 2. It is located between Santa Ana and Caborca, just East of Caborca

You can see a Interactive Map of the Missions by clicking here