Acoustics Characterization of the Open Chapel´s St. Nicholas of Tolentino Ancient Monastery at Actopan [Hidalgo], Mexico. An example of regional heritage resignification

Abstract

This paper summarizes the study of the acoustic behavior of the opened chapel from the “ex convento de San Nicolás de Tolentino”, located in the municipality of Actopan, state of Hidalgo, in Mexico. Such behavior is explained through the acoustic modeling; how at the time, a higher sound pressure level could be attained to cover a longer distance enabling to transmit the religious message to a multitude of parishioners. A collateral and brief historiographic analysis is made about the main function of the opened chapel, and has been complemented with this acustic analysis allowing us to pose new research horizons for this type of heritage buildings at the region.