Inside the Church of Santo Domingo, this side chapel is an explosion of gilded stucco: saints, angels, heraldic symbols, floral motifs, and allegorical figures cover every surface from floor to dome. The effect is overwhelming — not garish but genuinely magnificent in its ambition. Work on the chapel began around 1650 and took four decades; the result is the high point of Mexican Baroque.
The main church of Santo Domingo, which you pass through to reach the chapel, is also worth time: more restrained, but still richly decorated with fine altarpieces. Entry to both is free; the chapel draws crowds in the middle of the day, so arrive early or late in the afternoon. The facade of Santo Domingo on 5 de Mayo is itself one of the finest colonial exteriors in the city.