Parroquia San Juan Bautista

The Parroquia San Juan Bautista anchors the plaza with its massive, thick stone walls and a heavy bell tower that dates back to the sixteenth century. Franciscan friars established this mission shortly after the arrival of the Spanish, building it directly over the site of a pre-Hispanic school for noble Aztec children. During the early colonial period, the church served as the primary religious center for the southern basin, often acting as a fortress for the Spanish settlers during local uprisings.