Landmark 15 km west of Viesca
A former Jesuit hacienda west of Viesca whose 18th-century chapel holds a gilded Churrigueresque altarpiece.
The Hacienda de Santa Ana de los Hornos was one of the first settlements in the Laguna region. Jesuit priests founded it around the end of the 16th century, and a chapel was established here in 1598, making it one of the oldest religious sites in this part of northern Mexico. The big main house still frames an enormous central courtyard.
The treasure is the Capilla de Santa Ana, built in the 18th century in front of the main house. Inside, the high altar is covered by a dazzling Churrigueresque altarpiece in red and gold, with a carved wooden figure of Saint Anne holding the Virgin in the central niche and a Virgin and Child above it, surrounded by side altars and old paintings. Many consider it one of the most beautiful churches in the north. It was restored in 2010 with help from the group Adopte una Obra de Arte.
The old railroad between Torreón and Saltillo once ran through the hacienda. Today the community is the ejido Venustiano Carranza, a quiet place where the chapel and the hacienda walls are the reason to come.
What to see and do
Step inside the Capilla de Santa Ana to see the red-and-gold Churrigueresque altarpiece.
Look for the carved figure of Saint Anne with the Virgin in the central niche.
Walk around the old main house and its huge courtyard.
Combine the trip with the Dunas de Bilbao for a full day around Viesca.
Getting there
The hacienda is in the ejido Venustiano Carranza, about 15 kilometers west of Viesca, roughly half an hour by car on local roads. The chapel is a community church rather than a museum, so opening times vary; ask in Viesca or in the ejido who has the key, and dress respectfully if a service is under way.
15 km west of Viesca
Directions from Viesca on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather warm
Santa Ana de los Hornos shares the climate of Viesca, 15 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Viesca your base
Santa Ana de los Hornos is an easy trip from Viesca, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Viesca
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Dunas de Bilbao
· Nature reserve · 13 km away
Pale sand dunes rising out of the desert near Viesca, protected by the ejido and made for sandboarding and sunsets.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.