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Mompox has a handful of colonial churches scattered throughout the historic town center. This entry contains all of the churches we visited except for the Church of Santa Bárbara. Mompox is a Colombian Heritage Town (Pueblo Patrimonio) as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
First, along the Albarrada, is the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción). It’s located on Plaza de la Concepción, formerly known as Plaza Mayor. The very first Spanish settlement in Mompox originated around this plaza.
The very first church was built out of adobe in 1541 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, the founder of Cartagena. 10 years later, the church was enlarged. Bricks replaced the adobe and tiles replaced the straw roof.
The church was restored several times over the years, with the last restoration occurring in 1795. In 1839, José Duque, the provincial governor ordered the church’s demolition. A new one was built to replace it, with construction lasting from 1843 to 1931.
Church of San Francisco
Further north along the Albarrada is the Church of San Francisco (Iglesia de San Francisco). It was originally built in 1564 and the convent next door was founded by Friar Francisco Gonzaga in 1580. The current building is a 1966 reconstruction, but was closed when we passed by.
The convent was once in ruins but it was restored and converted into a school by Franciscan nuns, Sacred Heart College (Colegio Sagrado Corazón). Classes began in 1924.
Church of San Juan de Dios
In the center of town near Plaza de la Libertad is the Church of San Juan de Dios (Church of San Juan de Dios). It was founded in 1550 and belonged to the hospital next door. The hospital is the oldest in the Americas that still functions in its original building. The church was closed during our visit.
Church of Santo Domingo
On the way to the cemetery, we passed the Church of Santo Domingo (Iglesia de Santo Domingo). This church was originally built in 1554 out of straw. It remained in its original state until it collapsed on August 19, 1845. The current building was completed in 1856. Next door to the original church was the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, which was destroyed during the time of Colombian independence from Spain. The church was closed when we walked by.
Church of San Agustín
Finally, we stopped into the Church of San Agustín (Iglesia de San Agustín). It’s officially named the Minor Basilica of the Most Holy Christ of Mompox (Basílica Menor del Santísimo Cristo de Mompox). The church and attached convent was founded in 1606 by the Barefoot Augustinian Hermits.
Inside the church is a masterpiece, the Holy Christ Crucified, which sits behind the altar. There’s also a large golden sepulcher kept behind a glass case as well as a beautiful pulpit carved out of wood.
