The altarpiece façades of the Sierra Gorda Missions

The altarpiece façades of the Franciscan Missions stand out as defining elements within each of the fiveheritage complexes located in the Sierra Gorda, in the north of the Mexican state of Querétaro. These buildingswere built in the mid-eighteenth century. Their façades are characterized by striking decoration and polychromy,contributing to the architectural values that led to their recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.This article presents a comparative study of the Missions’ façades, based on compositional analysis, and theirrelationship to the iconography and polychromy they display. The iconographic program, based on Christiandoctrine, is enriched by autochthonous allusions, and the result reflects the collaborative craftsmanship of theFranciscan missionaries and the Pames indigenous people (Chichimecas), giving rise to a particular mestizoBaroque style. Furthermore, the polychromy allows the iconographic elements accentuated through color contrast,achieving harmony on the façades. Finally, the chromatic cohesion, based on the complementarity between theportals’ warm tones and the vibrant green landscape, creates spectacular scenes that integrate and frame thesemestizo Baroque gateways within the natural environment of the Sierra Gorda.