Actopan: Monastery Art, Crafts and Ximbó

Actopan brings together impressive religious art, Otomí crafts and a distinctive culinary tradition. At the Ex Convento de San Nicolás de Tolentino, murals and works of art tell stories spanning several centuries; Ximbó and barbacoa give the town’s culinary scene its own character. If you want to choose a trip that combines cultural history, crafts and regional cuisine, Actopan offers different ways to do so.

Murals and Religious Art at the Ex Convento

The Ex Convento de San Nicolás de Tolentino preserves valuable murals and religious artworks dating from the 16th to the 19th century. An ethnographic room explores the daily life and craftsmanship of the Otomí people in the Valle del Mezquital. Religious imagery and insights into a regional culture are presented side by side, so a visit need not focus on a single subject.

One distinctive feature of the building is its open chapel, with a 17-meter-high barrel vault. Its murals depict scenes from Genesis and the Last Judgment. The religious art museum is on the upper floor, where you can see sculptures and panel paintings dating from the 16th to the 19th century, including depictions of saints, angels, biblical scenes and Marian devotion. Visitors interested in sacred art can explore different forms and subjects within this collection.

Plaza Juárez is located right in front of the Ex Convento. The Museo y Centro Cultural Bicentenario complements these cultural attractions with workshops in dance, sculpture, painting, music and other arts, as well as exhibitions and handicrafts for sale.

Crafts from Actopan

Products made in Actopan include palm-leaf hats, baskets and bags, goods made from ixtle, leatherwork and embroidered items. These handicrafts are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Museo y Centro Cultural Bicentenario on Carretera México–Laredo, km 110. If you’re interested in crafts as well as works of art, this gives you a specific place to visit while planning your trip.

Ximbó and Barbacoa: Regional Cuisine

Ximbó is a typical dish from Actopan. It is prepared with maguey leaves, seasoned chicken, pork cracklings, nopales and spices, then cooked in an underground oven. Its preparation and ingredients make the dish a distinctive culinary discovery, different from the town’s art and crafts.

In Actopan, Ximbó is sold on Wednesdays and Sundays at the traditional tianguis or in the food pavilion, as well as at Mercado 8 de Julio in the town center. Actopan’s barbacoa is associated with traditional wood-fired ovens. The traditional barbacoa competition is considered one of the city’s most representative gastronomic events. Its origins date back 48 years; July 8 was chosen as its date because it is Actopan’s founding day.

Plazas, Parks and a City Tour

The town’s public spaces each have their own character: Plaza de la Constitución is in front of the Palacio Municipal, while Parque Reforma is home to the obelisk. Parque del Salto is located at a former aqueduct reservoir. These places offer different ways to get to know Actopan through its plazas, parks and architectural landmarks.

A Turibús with room for more than 30 people travels along Actopan’s main streets and to its major sights. When planning your stay, you can choose between a city tour like this and themed interests such as monastery art, crafts or cuisine. A vacation rental or vacation home in Actopan is a good search option if you want to focus your stay on the town’s cultural and dining offerings.

Discover More Places

More town pages to help you plan: San Miguel Vindho, Tlahuelilpan, Nicolás Flores, El Bedito, Huejutla, Acatlán, Progreso, Mineral De La Reforma.

For the broader travel overview: Hidalgo.