Ex monastery of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo, Mexico

This baroque convent in Pachuca features carved wooden sculptures, religious paintings, and colonial-era architectural details, including gilded altarpieces from the 17th century. Display rooms contain reproductions of paintings, archival documents, and a scale model showing how the building expanded by 1861.

Construction began in 1594 under Franciscan friar Francisco de Torantos. The building underwent major expansion between 1771 and 1781 thanks to funding from Pedro Romero de Terreros.

The complex now houses the National Photo Library, Photography Museum, and Hidalgo Arts Center. These institutions blend religious heritage with contemporary cultural spaces where visitors encounter art and photography exhibitions.

Guided tours are available Tuesday through Friday and give access to multiple areas worth exploring. Plan time to experience both the religious spaces and modern exhibition rooms, as they offer different perspectives on the site's history.

After closing as a religious site, the building served as a mining school, military barracks, state prison, and civil hospital before becoming a cultural space. This varied past reveals how a single structure adapted to meet different community needs over time.