Did you know that in Coyoacán there is an old convent that was once converted into a military fortress? Although today it is a space dedicated to history, its walls witnessed one of the battles of the Mexican-American War.
This is the Former Convent of Churubusco, a building dating back to the 16th century that currently houses the National Museum of the Interventions. Traces of its past can still be seen here, including bullet marks from the 1847 battle.
What happened at the Former Convent of Churubusco in 1847?
On August 20, 1847, during the U.S. intervention, the convent became a strategic point for defending access to Mexico City.
Mexican forces, led by Generals Pedro María Anaya and Manuel Joaquín Rincón, resisted the U.S. advance. The San Patricio Battalion, composed mainly of soldiers of Irish descent, also took part in the battle.
After several hours of fighting and running out of ammunition, the defending troops were defeated. However, the Battle of Churubusco went down in history as one of the defining moments of that conflict.
What can you see today at this museum in Coyoacán?
The site opened as the National Museum of the Interventions in 1981 and today offers visitors a glimpse into different periods of Mexican history through documents, paintings, maps, weapons, uniforms, and other historical artifacts.
In addition to its exhibitions, the site preserves areas that reflect the former convent life, such as the kitchen, the refectory, and the cloister. It also houses a collection of religious art from the 17th and 18th centuries.
One of its unique features is that the building itself is part of the experience: its courtyards, corridors, and structures allow visitors to imagine what daily life was like for the friars before the site became a military theater.
That is why this museum in Coyoacán brings together colonial architecture, historical memory, and artifacts that help visitors understand different periods in the country’s history.
Visitor Information for the Former Convent of Churubusco
Location: 20 de Agosto and General Anaya (no number), San Diego Churubusco neighborhood, Coyoacán
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $105 for Mexicans and residents of Mexico; $210 general admission. Free admission on Sundays for Mexican nationals and residents
