Constructed by Franciscan monks and their indigenous converts in the 1750s, the original of the five missions in the Sierra Gorda is in the middle of the town of Jalpan. It has an elaborate exterior and is devoted to the first evangelist, James the Greater. Note the carvings of plants around the main entrance to the church. The majority are species native to this region.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda
5.21 MILES
The Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda, in the rugged Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, covers a huge swath of the northeastern third of Querétaro…
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18.83 MILES
Completed in 1754, this attractive church is the smallest of the Sierra Gorda Missions, but has a delightful setting in the rather charming village of…
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Misión Santa María del Agua de Landa
10.07 MILES
Built between 1760 and 1768, the Mision Sanata María was the last of the five Sierra Gorda missions to be built and today dominates the small town of…
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Misión Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol
15.65 MILES
This was the second of the five missions to be built and was completed in 1767 by Juan Ramos de Lora. It is devoted to Our Lady of the Light, a sculpture…
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Misión San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco
18.59 MILES
Dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, this fine mission church in the village of Tilaco was built between 1754 and 1762 and has an impressive façade and bell…
Nearby Northern Central Highlands attractions
1. Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda
5.21 MILES
The Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda, in the rugged Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, covers a huge swath of the northeastern third of Querétaro…
2. Misión Santa María del Agua de Landa
10.07 MILES
Built between 1760 and 1768, the Mision Sanata María was the last of the five Sierra Gorda missions to be built and today dominates the small town of…
3. Misión Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol
15.65 MILES
This was the second of the five missions to be built and was completed in 1767 by Juan Ramos de Lora. It is devoted to Our Lady of the Light, a sculpture…
4. Misión San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco
18.59 MILES
Dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, this fine mission church in the village of Tilaco was built between 1754 and 1762 and has an impressive façade and bell…
18.83 MILES
Completed in 1754, this attractive church is the smallest of the Sierra Gorda Missions, but has a delightful setting in the rather charming village of…