16th Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: 16th Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl

Weather: Rain showers early with mostly cloudy conditions later in the day, 48/66F

Route: From Xochicalco 207 km ENE on PUE 43D.

Significance: These 14 monasteries built on the slopes of the active volcano Popocatepetl were the earliest presence of Christianity in Mexico and the Americas.  It is impossible to separate the evangelistic mission of these monasteries from the military mission of the Spanish.  In fact many of these monasteries have defensive fortifications because their presence was not welcome.  However they are impressive buildings, especially when considering that they were built less than 100 years after Columbus.

Websites: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Images:

St. Michael the Archangel Monastery in Huejotzingo (from whc.unesco.org)

Convent of San Mateo Apostol y Evangelista (from atlatlahucanlaliuken.blogspot.com)