Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda, Religious missions complex in Sierra Gorda, Mexico.

The Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda are five churches built between 1750 and 1760 in the mountainous region of northern Querétaro. Their facades are carved in reddish-brown stone with cream and pale tan detailing, covered in relief sculpture: a curved gable frames a robed figure, three framed panels hold circular reliefs of standing figures, and reclining winged figures flank a recessed arched opening. An octagonal window with dark panes sits beside arched niches holding robed figures, with a shield of three downward triangles between them.

The five missions were built between 1750 and 1760 in Pame territory after José de Escandón's 1740 victory at the Battle of Media Luna secured the region. Although attributed to Junípero Serra, they were raised by Pame workers under friars such as Juan Crispi at Tilaco and Juan Ramos de Lora at Tancoyol. Serra left for California in 1770, and the complexes later suffered damage, especially during the Mexican Revolution.

The missions' facades were decorated with tempera painting, cited by UNESCO as a leading example of popular New Spain Baroque. The Pame built the churches under Franciscan friars such as Juan Crispi at Tilaco and Juan Ramos de Lora at Tancoyol, and Serra had doctrine taught in the Pame language. At the unfinished Purísima Concepción de Bucareli, mass for Francis of Assisi is still held on 4 February in a roofless chapel.

The five churches stand in inter-mountain valleys of the Sierra Gorda, reached by road from Querétaro through Jalpan de Serra, the usual base for the circuit. Mountain roads link Jalpan with Landa de Matamoros, Tilaco, Tancoyol and Concá, and travel times grow with the gradients and curves. Fuel and services thin out between towns, so fill up in Jalpan before setting off.

The Mission of Tancoyol features stone carvings of angels playing historical musical instruments alongside depictions of local farming activities. This unusual combination reveals how religious and everyday subjects were brought together in the stone work.