Mexico’s colonial religious architecture offers a unique glimpse into the country’s complex history. Among its treasures are the colonial convents scattered mainly across Morelos and Puebla, showcasing a remarkable blend of cultures through their art, design, and purpose.

The Route of the Convents (Ruta de los Conventos) is a historic trail that connects some of Mexico’s most important colonial-era convents, mainly located in Morelos and Puebla, and is a must-see for anyone interested in culture, history, and architecture.

This route follows convents built in the 16th century during early Spanish evangelization. These sacred sites were not just religious centers but also hubs for education, community gatherings, and cultural exchange between Spanish missionaries and native peoples.

The convents were strategically placed near trade routes to help spread Christianity. Their massive atriums and open chapels were designed to accommodate large congregations, using architectural innovations that blended local traditions with European styles.

Exploring the route of the convents means stepping into living history. Each convent tells a story of faith, art, and resilience, reflecting the adaptation of Catholicism in Mexico and its enduring influence on local identity, architecture, and culture.

The Route of the Convents

Explore eleven remarkable 16th‑century convents tucked along the Popocatépetl slopes in Morelos, and extend your journey into Puebla’s historic monasteries. This trail is ideal for cultural travellers with an eye for sacred architecture.

Walking these hacienda‑like atriums and capilla abierta cloisters transports you back to the first phase of evangelization. You’ll see fusion art – murals, altars, local sculpture – blending indigenous and European traditions in vivid detail.

Morelos: architectural gems beneath the volcano

In Morelos, colonial convents stand as impressive testaments to Mexico’s early evangelization. They served as social hubs where indigenous communities and Spanish missionaries met, blending European design with local artistic traditions in their architecture.

Convento de la Natividad in Tepoztlán and Santo Domingo in Oaxtepec captivate visitors with massive atriums and richly painted walls. Their capillas were designed for processions and outdoor masses, accommodating large congregations used to communal worship outdoors.

Smaller towns like Ocuituco and Atlatlahucan hold hidden gems with beautifully muraled halls and intricately carved portals. These details reveal the artisanship of local indigenous artists who contributed to the religious and cultural fusion evident throughout the region.

One particularly striking example is the Convento de San Guillermo in Totolapan, which survived centuries as a fortress-like sanctuary. Its sturdy walls and serene cloisters now stand restored, offering a peaceful retreat for visitors and a vivid glimpse into Morelos’s layered colonial past.

Convents in Morelos (UNESCO‑listed):

  • Convento de la Natividad / Asunción, Tepoztlán
  • Ex Convento de La Asunción, Cuernavaca
  • Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Oaxtepec
  • Convento de San Juan Bautista, Tlayacapan
  • Convento de San Guillermo, Totolapan
  • Convento de San Mateo Apóstol, Atlatlahucan
  • Convento de San Juan Bautista, Yecapixtla
  • Convento de Santiago Apóstol, Ocuituco
  • Convento de San Juan Bautista, Tetela del Volcán
  • Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Hueyapan
  • Convento de La Inmaculada Concepción, Zacualpan de Amilpas

These convents remain vital cultural landmarks, protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites. They attract historians, architects, and travelers eager to witness the fusion of faith and artistry shaped by centuries of coexistence.

Visiting these convents offers more than sightseeing – it’s a chance to connect with living history, explore quiet towns where time slows, and appreciate how architecture served as a bridge between two worlds.

Puebla: complementary route of convents & monasteries

Puebla’s circuit of colonial monasteries richly complements Morelos’s convent trail. Built mostly by Franciscan and Dominican orders in the 16th century, these sites aimed to evangelize indigenous peoples and establish Spanish influence amid local communities.

Found in towns like Huejotzingo, Cholula, Calpan, Tecamachalco, and Atlixco, these monasteries combine fortress-like stone exteriors with intricate baroque interiors. Their strong walls served to protect worshippers and inhabitants during unrest.

Inside, visitors find carved retablos and gilded altarpieces, alongside stone reliefs featuring pre-Hispanic motifs such as native plants, animals, and symbols. This blend of indigenous and Christian imagery exemplifies the cultural syncretism central to Mexico’s colonial heritage.

Calpan’s Ex Convento de San Andrés impresses with biblical scenes intertwined with indigenous flora and fauna. Atlixco and Huejotzingo offer richly decorated interiors and sculptural details framed by volcanic landscapes, providing visitors with a striking blend of history and nature.

Monasteries in Puebla (partial UNESCO circuits):

  • Ex Convento de San Andrés Apóstol, Calpan
  • Monastery of La Asunción, Atlixco
  • San Francisco de Asís, Tecamachalco and Calpan
  • San Gabriel, Cholula
  • San Miguel Arcángel, Huejotzingo
  • Others include friaries at Quecholac, Cuautinchán, Tepeaca, and Acatzingo

These monasteries remain essential cultural heritage sites, cherished for their architectural beauty and the stories they tell about colonial-era religious life. They draw visitors interested in art, history, and the fusion of indigenous and European traditions.

Exploring Puebla’s convent circuit is a journey through time and culture, where volcanic landscapes meet sacred spaces. The route offers both spiritual reflection and architectural marvels, perfect for travelers seeking depth beyond the usual tourist paths.

Why this trail matters for cultural and architectural travellers

Declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1994, these convents represent early experiments in colonial ecclesiastical design adapted for Indigenous worship styles. The capilla abierta and posas were innovations rarely found in Europe.

Restored after 2017’s earthquakes in Morelos – especially in Yecapixtla, Atlatlahucan, and Totolapan – these three convents recently reopened to the public. Their murals and architecture shine anew, honoring centuries-old traditions.