ANCIENT MONASTERY OF CALPAN

Over the past fourteen years, the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) initiative has grown considerably due to the growing interest and appreciation for the protection and preservation of World Heritage sites. For the fourth time, an international volunteer camp will be held in the former convent of San Francisco de Asís in Calpan. Among the objectives are to attract more tourism to the region, complement the development actions of this town, evaluate the tangible and intangible heritage, and highlight the local cultural heritage. Calpan will once
again welcome national and international volunteers to carry out awareness-raising activities about the importance of preserving local cultural heritage, supporting the preservation of the former convent. The importance of this complex lies mainly in the façade of the temple, which, together with the four chapels, constitute one of the most notable complexes of the 16th century in Mexico. These chapels, which were built around 1555, display carved stone reliefs of theological scenes. It is considered a jewel of the architecture of the viceroyalty. The four posas chapels were consecrated to the following saints: San Miguel, San Juan Evangelista, La Asunción and San Francisco. All of them present a very similar architectural composition, varying only in their ornamental design of great artistic value and cover. These chapels are an integral part of the historical and cultural wealth of the former convent, and their beauty continues to captivate those who visit them.