How did Baroque architecture change the design of Latin American churches?

Baroque architecture significantly influenced the design of Latin American churches by shifting away from the rectilinear, clearly defined spaces of the Renaissance toward more complex, curvilinear geometries based on circles, ovals, or spirals.1

While this influence was often limited to planar decorative treatments on facades and interiors, it fundamentally altered the aesthetic experience of these spaces. Key changes included:1

• Decorative Elements: The use of the salomónica, or twisted column, became an emblematic feature of Baroque facades and altarpieces, notably in 17th-century Mexican churches and the Church of La Compañía in Quito.12
• Surface Articulation: In many instances, such as the Chapels of Rosario in Puebla and Tunja, architects covered interior surfaces with elaborate decorative reliefs. This technique created a unique sensation that overwhelmed the original space, effectively collapsing walls, floors, and ceilings into a single, tapestry-like surface.2
• Spatial Complexity: While many colonial churches maintained simpler floor plans, some rare examples—such as the Chapel of Pocito in Mexico and the Church of Santa Teresa in Bolivia—incorporated complex interweaving spaces reminiscent of the work of Francesco Borromini.1
• Facade Design: Baroque principles introduced dynamic rhythms, such as the concave and convex forms seen in the Cathedral of Havana, which departed from traditional, austere surfaces.2