Ex-Convento Domínico de la Natividad

Tepoztlán


This monastery, situated east of the zócalo, and the attached church were built by Dominican priests between 1560 and 1588. The plateresque church facade has Dominican seals interspersed with indigenous symbols, floral designs and various figures, including the sun, moon and stars, animals, angels and the Virgin Mary. Upstairs, various cells house a bookstore, galleries and a regional history museum.

The monastery’s arched west entryway is adorned with an elaborate seed mural of pre-Hispanic history and symbolism. Every year during the first week of September, local artists sow a new mural from 60 varieties of seeds.

At the time of writing the monastery remained closed for repairs, years after an earthquake, with only the south entrance on the ramp open for access to the grounds. Glimpsing Mass held in the surrounding outdoor grounds is interesting in itself. Check ahead to see if the monastery has reopened.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tepoztlán attractions

2. Pirámide de Tepozteco

1.01 MILES

Tepoztlán's main sight is this 10m-high pyramid perched atop a sheer cliff at the end of a very steep paved path that begins at the end of Avenida del…

3. Pirámide de Teopanzolco

8.91 MILES

This very small archaeological site, 1km northeast of the center, actually has two pyramids, one inside the other. You can climb on the outer base and see…

4. Papalote Museo del Niño

9.36 MILES

Built as part of a land deal with the city, this excellent children’s museum has an odd location in a shopping center beside a Costco, about 4km north of…

5. Museo Juan Soriano

9.63 MILES

Opened in 2018, this contemporary art museum is comprised of off-white cubes squatting a few blocks west of the zócalo. Temporary exhibits have included…

6. Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac

9.84 MILES

The Palacio de Cortés houses this excellent museum, which has two floors of exhibits highlighting Mexican cultures and history. On the ground floor,…

7. Palacio de Cortés

9.84 MILES

Cortés’ imposing medieval-style fortress stands opposite the southeast end of the Plaza de Armas. This two-story stone palace was built in 1535 on the…

8. Plaza de Armas

9.89 MILES

Cuernavaca's zócalo, Plaza de Armas, is flanked on the east by the Palacio de Cortés and giant 'Cuernavaca' letters, on the west by the Palacio de…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "mexico/south-of-mexico-city/tepoztlan/attractions/ex-convento-dominico-de-la-natividad/a/poi-sig/1101819/361629",
      "destination": "Tepoztlán",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "country": "Mexico",
      "city": "Tepoztlán",
      "position": "superzone"
    }