Museo de Arte de Querétaro (MAQRO)

The Museo de Arte de Querétaro (MAQRO) is housed in the former Convento de San Agustín, a Baroque monastery complex on Calle Allende in the historic center, whose cloister is considered one of the finest examples of Mexican Baroque architecture with elaborately carved caryatid columns and arches. Visitors first take in the cloister itself before moving through galleries of Mexican viceregal, 19th-century, and contemporary art, including allegorical and religious paintings typical of New Spain. A visit runs 1-1.5 hours, with much of that time spent simply appreciating the architectural details of the cloister's courtyard and upper gallery walkway. The carved columns are the standout photo subject, best seen in the soft, even light of a weekday morning before tour groups arrive. The museum is quiet on weekday mornings and busier on weekends, when it draws more local families and art students.