“Culhuacán”, they called it. Can you pronounce it? Cul-hua-cán. It means “crooked hill” in Nahuatl. Today, we stand before the Ex-convento de Culhuacán. It is a historical gem in Iztapalapa. Its walls are made of volcanic basalt. This stone comes from the Culhuacán area itself.
Culhuacán has been important for a long time. Since 600 AD it influenced the Valley of Mexico. It was a religious center. People worshipped the gods of water and fertility here. The Cerro de la Estrella was a sacred place.
After the Spanish conquest, the Franciscans arrived. They built a mission on the ruins of old temples. Later, the Augustinians took over. Between 1552 and 1569, they built a convent and church. This is the Ex-convento de Culhuacán we see today.
The monastery was named after San Juan Evangelista. It became a school. Here, locals learned about the language and customs. The Ex-convento de Culhuacán complex included many buildings. There was a two-story cloister. Also, there was a church, a courtyard for pilgrims and a cemetery. Monasteries needed to be self-sufficient. So, there was an orchard and stone quarries. A pond, pier, and paper mill were also part of the complex.
Inside the Ex-convento de Culhuacán, you can find beautiful art. Baroque-Plateresque frescoes decorate the cloisters. They show the skill of Culhuacán painters. The scenes of the Augustinian Martyrs are stunning. The Adoration of the Kings is another highlight.
The Ex-convento de Culhuacán also has a museum. It opened in 1984. The museum has six exhibit rooms. They display artifacts from pre-Hispanic and colonial times. You can see ceramics from the Toltec culture. There are also objects related to religious ceremonies. These include braziers and masks of Tláloc.
One room recreates the living quarters of the friars. Another has photos of the building’s restoration. The photos show the Ex-convento de Culhuacán after its abandonment. This was at the end of the 18th century.
Notice the walls of the Ex-convento de Culhuacán. They have three layers of mural paintings. Two are from the 16th century. The other is from the 18th century. Some restored paintings show Jesus entering Jerusalem. Also, you can see the Nativity. Figures from the Order of San Agustín are present.
The Ex-convento de Culhuacán stands as a testament to history. It shows the blending of indigenous and Spanish cultures. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember the stories within its walls.