Tucked inside an enormous Diegino convent in the south of Mexico is an unusual museum which showcases two very different moments in the country’s history. Built by a group of Franciscan friars, the kitchen, refectory (dining room), sacristy, orchard and pilgrims’ vestibule have been restored to give you a sense of what the monastery once looked like. Archaeological windows attest to the original function of this building. Yet, the majority of its space is dedicated to the memory of the many military attacks Mexico has faced against the Spanish, the French, the Americans (in 1846 and 1914), the War of Independence and the Revolution, to name a few. In fact, this was the site of a major battle fought during the Mexican-American War (referred to a Intervention in Mexico), as the bullet-riddled facade shows proof. This lesser visited museum is eclectic, housing both viceregal sculpture, nineteenth century paintings as well as contemporary art. It is much more interesting than its name would lead you to believe! A must for history buffs.
