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Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption
Historic 16th-century mission that was constructed between 1550 and 1598. The church resembles a fortress, like many missions of the period when the Spanish feared reprisals by indigenous populations. The interior features many original frescoes and is particularly well-known for a large wood sculpture of St. Francis that was carved by an indigenous craftsman. The church and monastery are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mission was damaged by a 2017 earthquake but repairs have been restored its previous grandeur.
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The aqueduct was built by the Nahua people who settled the town and lived here prior to the colonial era. It was expanded after the Spanish conquered the town. It feeds an ornate octagonal fountain near the Plaza Principal. The octagonal fountain was designed by Fray Diego de Olarte in 1560.
Zocalo
The town square is a beautifully manicured garden with towering pine trees and a large 2-story central bandstand, along with stone walkways, statues and memorials. It's a great place for people watching and for picking up some cheap street food from strolling vendors.
Sanctuary of Our Lord of Calvary
16th century church that houses one of the largest sculptures of Christ on the cross in Mexico. The church was built on top of an indigenous temple and some of the stones from the original temple were used to build the Christian church. The sanctuary is sometimes known as "Our Lord of the Rains" because in 1956, the figure of Christ on the cross was credited for bringing a deluge of heavy rains, ending a long drought. The church was heavily damaged in a 2017 earthquake that caused the dome and bell tower to collapse, reconstruction is still proceeding and parts of the historic structure may be closed to visitors.