A historic building located in the Fourth Section of Chapultepec Forest, in the Santa Fe neighborhood of Mexico City. It is an old chapel or oratory dating from the 17th century, although its origins go back to the 16th century, when the first colonial settlements were established in that area.
It is closely linked to Vasco de Quiroga, a key figure in New Spain who founded the town-hospital of Santa Fe with an innovative social approach to support indigenous communities. The chapel is also associated with Gregorio López, a hermit who lived there and practiced herbal medicine, leaving a significant influence on traditional medicinal practices during the colonial period.
Over time, the hermitage evolved from an isolated religious space into a site of historical, cultural, and symbolic value. Although the current structure dates primarily to the 17th century, the site retains its symbolic value as one of the oldest sites of colonial occupation in the area. It remained abandoned for long periods, but has recently been restored and integrated into cultural and conservation initiatives within Chapultepec Forest.
Today, the chapel serves as a community cultural center that hosts educational activities, workshops, exhibitions, and events focused on history, art, and traditional medicine. Its natural surroundings, characterized by green spaces and ancient springs, reinforce its value as a meeting place where nature, history, and community converge.
The Old Vasco de Quiroga Chapel serves as a point of connection between Mexico’s colonial past, indigenous traditions, and contemporary cultural life, standing out both for its historical significance and its current role as a revitalized public space.