A 16th-century Augustinian church and former convent in the center of Malinalco, notable for surviving mural fragments depicting plants and flowers painted by indigenous artists.
The Templo y Ex Convento del Divino Salvador sits on Malinalco's central plaza, a 16th-century Augustinian church and former monastery built during the same wave of evangelization that produced the monastery at Acolman. The church's plain stone facade opens into a single-nave interior, while the adjoining former convent rooms preserve fragments of original mural paintings depicting plants, flowers, and birds, created by indigenous artists trained in European painting techniques but working with local botanical subjects and pigments. These surviving murals, faded but still legible in several rooms, are considered an important record of the artistic exchange between European missionary art and indigenous craftsmanship in early colonial Mexico State. A visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes, covering the church nave and the accessible convent rooms with murals. The plaza in front of the church offers the best photo angle of the facade, framed by the surrounding town and the hillside archaeological site visible above. Because the church remains an active parish, visits are best timed outside Mass hours, and the site is typically calm throughout the day given Malinalco's modest overall visitor numbers compared to larger colonial towns.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily approximately 8:00AM-6:00PM, outside Mass times for tourist visits
- Best time
- Midday, outside Mass times
Location
Av. Progreso s/n, Centro, 52440 Malinalco, Mexico State, Mexico
18.9494, -99.4972 View on map
Highlights
- 16th-century Augustinian church and former monastery on Malinalco's main plaza
- Surviving mural fragments of plants and flowers painted by indigenous artists
- Plain stone facade typical of early evangelization-era churches
- Convent rooms preserving original colonial-era architecture
- Central plaza setting with views up toward the Cerro de los Ídolos site
Tips for visiting
- Visit outside Mass times to freely view the church and convent rooms
- Combine with the Cerro de los Ídolos climb on the same day -- both are steps from the plaza
- Dress modestly, as with any active parish church
- Allow about 20-30 minutes for a relaxed walk through the nave and mural rooms
- Look closely at the faded convent murals -- the plant and flower detail is easy to miss at a glance
When to visit
Midday, outside scheduled Mass times, is the easiest time to view the church and convent murals without disruption.
Accessibility
The church nave and plaza-level convent rooms are reachable via level ground, though some interior rooms are accessed by uneven stone steps with no ramp alternative.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Templo y Ex Convento del Divino Salvador take?
About 20 to 30 minutes covers the church nave and the convent rooms with surviving murals.
Is it worth visiting with kids?
It works as a brief, low-key stop for families already in Malinalco's plaza, though the mural details appeal more to older visitors.
Is photography allowed inside?
General photography is allowed in the church and convent rooms; flash is discouraged near the fragile mural fragments.