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"La Natividad" Convent
Country: Mexico.

The Franciscan missionaries began the evangelization of the inhabitants of Tepoztlan in 1521. Between 1530 and 1550 this work passed to the hands of the Dominican friars. The construction of this convent started by the middle of the XVI century; in the construction participated the indigenous population of Tepoztlan and other six towns of the current municipality. In 1580 the convent was working. The convent remained in the friars' hands up to 1773, dates when it was given to the secular clergy as consequence of the Bourbon Reformations, end of the XVIII century.

The different spaces of the convent are located around a cloister or central patio, surrounded by corridors covered with "canyon vaults". In these corridors they carried out processions that should be made walking anti-clock direction; to see to their front the altars painted in the corners of cloister the passion and death of Christ. Other symbols that we will find in the paintings murals will be: the emblem of the order of the Dominican, flowers dedicated to the Virgin, geometric figures, acanthus leaves and strange kings with tails of fish.

In the lower plant of the Convent and around the cloister we find the Capitular Room, the Refectory, the Kitchen and the Room Profundis. In the superior part of the Convent we find: the cells of the friars, the Antecoro (entrance to the choir of the church), mainly.

The Room Profundis is where the friars prayed the Psalm 129 before entering the dinning room; it is also the room where the best murals paintings in the whole Convent are conserved. 10 Dominican friars, and 2 saints or founders can be seen who sustain each one a staff. In the superior part of the painting it can observe Brother Domingo of Guzmán (founder of the order Dominique in 1215) and Brother Domingo of the Announcement to who was commended the evangelism of the valley of Tepoztlan.

In the superior part of the convent a permanent exhibition has been setup about the municipality of Tepoztlan; their parties, traditions, productive activities, etc.

Ecoturismolatino's Opinion

This is the second Convent to visit in the state of Morelos to follow our route of the convents that begins in Cuernavaca to continue in Tlayacapan. The same architectural elements are observed in the convents of the XVI century in the "New World": Atrium, Walls with Merlons, Atrium Cross, and Open Chapel.

Where and When?

To visit this beautiful convent go to Tepoztlan, Morelos. Free entrance. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00hrs.

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Mexico: Colonial Sites
	"La Natividad" Convent Country: Mexico. The Franciscan missionaries began the evangelization of the inhabitants of Tepoztlan in 1521. Between 1530 and 1550 this work passed to the hands of the Dominican friars. The construction of this convent started by the middle of the XVI century; in the construction participated the indigenous population of Tepoztlan and other six towns of the current municipality. In 1580 the convent was working. The convent remained in the friars' hands up to 1773, dates when it was given to the secular clergy as consequence of the Bourbon Reformations, end of the XVIII century. The different spaces of the convent are located around a cloister or central patio, surrounded by corridors covered with "canyon vaults". In these corridors they carried out processions that should be made walking anti-clock direction; to see to their front the altars painted in the corners of cloister the passion and death of Christ. Other symbols that we will find in the paintings murals will be: the emblem of the order of the Dominican, flowers dedicated to the Virgin, geometric figures, acanthus leaves and strange kings with tails of fish. In the lower plant of the Convent and around the cloister we find the Capitular Room, the Refectory, the Kitchen and the Room Profundis. In the superior part of the Convent we find: the cells of the friars, the Antecoro (entrance to the choir of the church), mainly. The Room Profundis is where the friars prayed the Psalm 129 before entering the dinning room; it is also the room where the best murals paintings in the whole Convent are conserved. 10 Dominican friars, and 2 saints or founders can be seen who sustain each one a staff. In the superior part of the painting it can observe Brother Domingo of Guzmán (founder of the order Dominique in 1215) and Brother Domingo of the Announcement to who was commended the evangelism of the valley of Tepoztlan. In the superior part of the convent a permanent exhibition has been setup about the municipality of Tepoztlan; their parties, traditions, productive activities, etc. Ecoturismolatino's Opinion This is the second Convent to visit in the state of Morelos to follow our route of the convents that begins in Cuernavaca to continue in Tlayacapan. The same architectural elements are observed in the convents of the XVI century in the "New World": Atrium, Walls with Merlons, Atrium Cross, and Open Chapel. Where and When? To visit this beautiful convent go to Tepoztlan, Morelos. Free entrance. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00hrs.