Franciscan monastery of Zacatlán, Franciscan monastery in Zacatlán Municipality, Mexico.

The Franciscan monastery in Zacatlán is a religious building with three naves arranged in basilica form and topped with red tile roofing that blends into the surrounding town. The structure displays the spacious proportions and vaulted interior spaces typical of churches from this period.

Construction began in 1562, almost eight years before the Cathedral of Mexico City and twelve before that of Puebla. The building was completed and blessed on 21 November 1564 by Hernando de Villagómez, third bishop of Tlaxcala. It is the second basilica-style church in the state of Puebla.

The monastery walls display preserved mural paintings from the 16th century, showing how religious art developed and what mattered to people then. Walking through the spaces, you can see these works and understand the artistic expression of that era.

The building has housed the Casa de la Cultura since 1991, containing a municipal library, museum, and art workshops open to the public. Visitors can experience the spaces in their current use and explore various cultural activities available there.

The 2009 INAH restoration lasted eight months and recovered ten percent of the original murals; during that time services moved to the San Pedro church and its esplanade. The Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes gave 16 million pesos through the Dirección de Sitios y Monumentos. Work covered roof tiles, wooden pieces, wall consolidation, a fire system and new lamps.