San Francisco de Tzintzuntzan Convent was the first foundation of the Franciscan Order in New Spain created for the conversion of the indigenous population to Christianity. Begun in 1525, the Franciscan convent was completed 71 years later under the direction of Vasco de Quiroga, the first bishop of Michoacán. (...)
San Francisco de Tzintzuntzan Convent was the first foundation of the Franciscan Order in New Spain created for the conversion of the indigenous population to Christianity. Begun in 1525, the Franciscan convent was completed 71 years later under the direction of Vasco de Quiroga, the first bishop of Michoacán. As a result of his appointment, the convent church became the first cathedral in the region. Associated with the convent were several huatáperas, or hospital complexes, that provided healthcare, religious training, and a gathering place for the local community. The Tzintzuntzan complex includes a large atrium, two open chapels, two churches, a cloister, and a hospital.
The site was in poor condition as a result of years of weather exposure, earthquake damage, and insufficient maintenance due to limited funding. Parts of the complex were abandoned and several walls and roof sections had collapsed. In 2003 the Michoacán chapter of Adopte una Obra de Arte developed a conservation master plan and adaptive reuse strategy for the site that included the use of the complex as a traditional building crafts training school for the local community.
