San Marcos Mexicaltzingo Parish, Iztapalapa, Franciscan convent and parish in Iztapalapa, Mexico.
The San Marcos Mexicaltzingo Parish is a colonial-era religious complex displaying New Spanish Baroque features including an octagonal dome, barrel vaults with lunettes, and Solomonic columns framing its entrance. Its church follows a Latin cross plan with underground crypts that contain remains from a cemetery that operated on the site until 1959.
The Franciscans built this religious complex in 1560 over the main structures of an ancient Mexica settlement that contained a pre-Hispanic dock. Archaeological excavations in 1983 revealed platforms and staircases beneath the current structure, documenting multiple construction phases spanning pre-Hispanic to colonial periods.
The chapel reflects a blend of indigenous and Spanish building traditions shaped by the transition of the 16th century. Visitors can see in its proportions and decorations how local craftsmanship was adapted to colonial architectural demands.
The site is best explored on foot, as the crypts and archaeological remains are visible or accessible from ground level. It helps to wear comfortable shoes since the flooring in older sections can be uneven.
During renovations, researchers discovered a Christ figure made from cane paste that contained codices with Nahuatl inscriptions hidden inside its structure. This blend of religious imagery with indigenous writing reveals how early colonial artisans merged local and European methods.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
