Convento de la Santa Cruz

The convent of Santa Cruz in the historical centre of Queretaro is a 16th century church and monastery that served as the headquarters for Emperor Maximillian (previously Archduke of Austria until he became emperor of Mexico with Napoleon III's help) and his forces, and later as his prison before he faced the firing squad in 1867 after being betrayed and deserted when the French troops were withdrawn.

This statue depicts the conversion of the indigenous inhabitants to Catholic Christianity. The plaque on the base of the statue reads 'IEL ES DOS!'

A Franciscan monk, Fray Junipero de la Serra, is said to have planted a miraculous tree in the convent by thrusting his staff into the ground. The tree is alleged to be the only one of its kind in the world to have cruciform thorns. Look closely at picture to see the shape of the thorns. The thorns are sold in varous ways - plain from the branch, or enclosed within plastic crosses etc. This is a close up of the branch - a type of acacia tree.

I'm glad I didn't live in that place during those times!