To the west of Mexico City there is one of the places with a lot of tradition and history, we refer to the Former Convent of the Desert of the Lions.
This site was erected at the beginning of the 17th century in the thickness of the forest that is now part of the Desierto de los Leones Protected Natural Area.
Origins of the Ex-Convent of the Desierto de los Leones
The Discalced Carmelite Monks They took it upon themselves to build this place. The Carmelites established the now ex-convent far from civilization in order to be able to adequately surrender to the silence of their meditations.
That is why they chose the forest that in that century was known as Desert of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Santa Fe.
In 1605 the construction of the Desierto de los Leones ex-convent began, which ended until the year 1611. At first its architecture reflected the early carmelite monks: austerity, harmony and utility.
Inside the enclosure were the spaces suitable for the religious life of the monks: a library, cloister, numerous rooms, kitchento name a few.
However, at the beginning of the 18th century a strong earthquake caused havoc in the place. For this reason the ex-convent was demolished to make way for its reconstruction. The person in charge of the project was the architect Jose Miguel de Rivera Saraviawho stood out for his work in carrying out the Biscayne College.
Abandonment of the Ex-Convent of Desierto de los Leones
In 1814, shortly after the earthquake and the reconstruction, the community of the Discalced Carmelite Monks They decided to withdraw from the now ex-convent.
By the year 1845, the place served as a field of maneuvers and headquarters of the national artillery corps.
the forest reserve
Subsequently, the site was completely abandoned and it was in 1876, when the then President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada declared this region a forest reserve area of public interest.
The government’s intention at first was the need to take advantage of the water from the springs to supply the then Federal District.
In the year 1917, President Venustiano Carranza, convinced by the Mexican researcher Miguel Ángel de Quevedo, established the Desierto de los Leones as the first National Park in Mexico.
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The legend about the name “of the Lions” of this National Park has two versions. The first refers to the fact that the wildcat used to inhabit the area, which has similarities with the lion.
On the other hand, the second mentions the León brothers, owners of the land and representatives of the Carmelites before the Spanish Crown.
Currently, you can visit the Desierto de los Leones and its former convent, which is located on Carretera Toluca – México 05050, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, 05020 La Venta, CDMX.
The service to the general public is from Tuesday to Sunday with a schedule that goes from 09:00 to 17:00.