Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl, Religious monument complex in Morelos, Puebla, and Tlaxcala, Mexico.
The monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl are a group of stone buildings with large courtyards, religious wall paintings, and defensive structures spread across different elevations of the volcano. They show features of colonial construction with thick walls and open spaces designed to gather people for religious purposes.
Spanish missionaries built these monasteries in the sixteenth century to convert and educate the indigenous population as part of colonial expansion. They were established quickly across different locations on the volcano and became centers of religious control and learning in the region.
The name of these monasteries reflects the blend of Spanish and indigenous traditions visible in how the buildings were designed and decorated. Stone carvings and religious artwork throughout the structures show how two cultures came together in construction and art.
The monasteries are spread across the slopes of the volcano and can be reached from the main roads between Mexico City and Puebla. Planning ahead helps when visiting multiple sites, as they sit at different elevations and are best explored on foot at each location.
These monasteries were built across an active volcano at different locations, forming a network visible from various viewpoints across the region. This strategic spread allowed missionaries to reach people scattered across difficult terrain in ways a single large building could not.
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