Museum of Popular Art | Former Convent of Santa Rosa in Puebla City

Museo de Arte Popular Ex Convento de Santa Rosa en Puebla

The building of the Museum of Popular Art Ex Convento de Santa Rosa is considered an architectural jewel of the XVII century, it shelters the kitchen lined with talavera where the mole poblano was prepared for the first time. Its collection shows the cultural richness of the State of Puebla.

The story goes that it was in this Convent where the nun Sister Andrea de la Asunción created the mole poblano, one of the most important dishes of the national gastronomy.

The museum shows the monastic life and its contributions to the gastronomy of Puebla. Here is located the famous kitchen of Santa Rosa that consists of three vaults covered with beautiful poblana talavera tiles.

There is a display room that shows the handicrafts of the seven regions of the state (Otomí, Popoloca, Totonaca, Tepehua, Nahua, Mixteca and Mazateca) as well as information sheets on the culture and traditions of each one of them.

Other rooms exhibit pieces of talavera and other objects related to the traditions, festivals and dances of various parts of the state of Puebla.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

It was in the 17th century in the Convent of Santa Rosa where it is said that it was prepared by a Dominican nun named Andrea de la Asunción for a peculiar petition.

When the viceroy Tomás Antonio de la Serna y Aragón passed through the city of Puebla de los Ángeles, he asked the people of the convent to prepare a dish that would captivate his palate, and so the nun put her best effort and prepared this delicious sauce by grinding different types of chiles and condiments in a metate.

With the aromas aroused by the mixture, I knew I was about to present a recipe like no other.

The result was a culinary beauty that captivated the demanding guest. The viceroy was very happy and during his stay he asked to be served this exquisite dish every day.

He assured that he had never tasted anything like it and that its spiciness invited him to taste it placidly with some spongy handmade tortillas.

What is captivating about the Santa Rosa Monastery complex is undoubtedly its monumental kitchen with three vaulted ceilings, which according to museum guides, more than a couple of hundred talavera tiles clad it, making it an architectural jewel of the period.

This building first served as a beaterio for Dominican nuns and later was a convent dedicated to Saint Agnes and later renamed in honor of the first saint of the American continent, Saint Rose of Lima.

After the Reform Laws, the building was converted into a military barracks and later into a psychiatric hospital for men, until the mid-twentieth century, when it became a neighborhood.

In 1973 it was remodeled and used to house the Museum of Popular Art.

The kitchen of the former convent of Santa Rosa is considered the most beautiful in the state of Puebla, as it is entirely lined with talavera, with almost 18,000 tiles.

This place was built in the 17th century as a beaterio for Dominican nuns. Legend has it that Mole Poblano was created here.

This building is characterized by its baroque architecture, which is composed of elements such as brick, talavera, tile, plasterwork and white moldings with organic elements, in addition to the use of carved stone in gray stonework.

The kitchen was built in 1697 and history records that in 1700, Sister Andrea created her Mole Poblano.

He emphasized that it was this personage, as a way of thanking for the food, who ordered the kitchen to be embellished with talavera tiles. A prize that the nuns earned for having prepared such an excellent dish.

Where is the Ex Convento de Santa Rosa Folk Art Museum?

Address: Calle 3 Nte Street no. 1210, Centro histórico de Puebla, 72000 Puebla, Pue.

More Official Info: Visit Puebla

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A legend is responsible for this beautiful city being known as Puebla de los Angeles.