Ex Convento Franciscano San Diego de Alcalá, Cuautla, Former Franciscan convent and church in Cuautla, Mexico.
The Ex Convento Franciscano San Diego de Alcalá is a former monastic complex and church featuring two cloisters, stone arches, and intricately carved cantera stone throughout its structure. Inside, it houses a silver reliquary said to contain a fragment of the True Cross.
The complex was originally built by Dominicans in the 16th century before later passing to Franciscan religious communities of the Dieguino order. This community constructed a temple dedicated to Saint Joseph in 1640.
The church displays carved artworks depicting Saint Didacus of Alcalá throughout its interior, which remain objects of veneration for visitors and worshippers today. These religious artworks shape how people experience the space and reflect a devotion that has endured for centuries.
The complex underwent extensive restoration work following the 2017 earthquake, with structural repairs completed by April 2019 to ensure visitor safety. Today, visitors will find a reinforced and well-maintained building that is fully accessible throughout.
During the Mexican Independence War, the complex served as a strategic defense point under the command of military leader Hermenegildo Galeana. This military history adds a layer of significance beyond its purely religious role.
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