Centro Cultural Exconvento de Santo Domingo

Cultural Center Ex Convent of Santo Domingo, located in the heart of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, is an iconic site where colonial history merges with the living cultural richness of the state.

Built in the second half of the 16th century by Dominican friars Pedro de Barrientos and Juan Alonso, the former convent stands out for its Mudejar-Renaissance style: brick walls, arches with high-relief decoration, and luminous wooden ceilings. It features two main courtyards and a cloister that was restored between 1999 and 2002. Today, it shines as both a historical monument and a community center.

This cultural space serves as a bridge between past and present, where art, history, and living tradition converge. Whether you're admiring the colonial architecture, learning about artisanal techniques, attending workshops, or experiencing the Parachico tradition, you'll find an authentic, enriching, and vibrant setting here.

The complex is a clear example of the fusion between indigenous-colonial architecture and European Dominican tradition, reflected in its design, materials, and ornamentation—carefully restored to become a cultural and heritage landmark in Chiapas.

Today, the Cultural Center Ex Convent of Santo Domingo houses three important museums that preserve and promote the artistic and historical heritage of Chiapa de Corzo:

• Lacquerware Museum (Museo de la Laca): Dedicated to the traditional art of lacquerwork, an ancient artisanal technique that represents one of the most emblematic crafts of Chiapas.

• Franco Lázaro Gómez Museum: A tribute to the renowned local artist whose works capture the life, culture, and traditions of the region through engravings, painting, and graphic art.

• Parachico Museum: A space showcasing masks, costumes, photographs, and ritual elements of the traditional Fiesta Grande of Chiapa de Corzo, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The center also features temporary exhibition halls, where contemporary Chiapanecan artists present their work across various disciplines such as painting, photography, sculpture, and visual arts. These exhibitions offer a space for dialogue between tradition and contemporary creativity.