Vizcainas School in Mexico City
This building was built from 1734 to 1757 in order to accommodate the children of Spanish with few resources. It has a beautiful chapel and a magnificent courtyard. In 1732 members of the Brotherhood of Aranzazu founded the Royal College of San Ignacio de Loyola for girls from Spain, as well as to protect widows. The School gave the New Spain women, better educational opportunities with a solid religious instruction, but without the constraints of the cloister, it was run by clergy, it had royal patronage, but independent in managing their constitutions. It was an independent, secular educational institution attending maidens and widows without the necessary resources to ensure their education, honesty and decency. The student’s ages ranged from 4 to over 60 years, which beat down in much the feeling of orphan hood, and old ladies who had a role of surrogate mother. They learned music, were taught organ, harpsichord, flute and bassoon, among other instruments. 
By 1730 the rector of the Royal and Pontifical University, and Eguiara Jose Eguren, Hispanic cultural advocate, ruled the Brotherhood, the main benefactors were the wealthy gentlemen Manuel de Aldaco, Ambrose and Francis Echebeste Meave, who gave name to its surrounding streets. On 31 July 1734, the construction began; though, the opening did not become official until after in 1767. Since that time it had been working until now.Architecture and rich heritage. The School Chapel has been purely private and richly furnished with beautiful altars, galleries and bars of the chorus, until 1771 was made the cover of the temple facing the street, with three sculptures: St. Ignatius Loyola and downtown San Luis Gonzaga and St. Stanislaus Koska on the sides. The building is the transition from Baroque to neoclassical styles, with volcanic rock and quarry facade and sturdy iron railings on the balconies and the interior. It occupies the entire block. It has eleven courtyards. There are five golden altarpieces and a chorus with one of the few organ bass of that era now in service. It has an important historical archive that preserves its history and tradition, protecting documents from the sixteenth century to the present, with information for understanding the history of women's education in Mexico. There are documents relating to the administration, education and scholar life (food, medical care, income, marriage, etc.).
Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, a female icon of the Mexican Independence, attended Vizcainas School because she was orphaned of a middle-class Spanish family very young. She learned to read, write and do basic math concepts, as well as embroidery, sewing and cooking, there she met the lawyer Don Miguel Dominguez, who asked her in marriage.
Dominguez was appointed Mayor of the city of Queretaro and eventually became involved in the conspiracy of Independence. Josefa was always extraordinarily strong character, while she was charitable and generous. She helped the homeless, and healed the sick with her own hands. Perhaps that is why she embraced the ideas of independence of New Spain, to redeem all the forgotten people of the Spanish government, such as the Indian and mestizo classes.The tradition and fun have surrounded at different times this beautiful building, which has seen the history of Mexico City, since colonial times until today. It stands superb as part of the Historic Center, better known as the City of Palaces.
