Pueblo Magico Zacatlán de las Manzanas (Zacatlán of the Apples), Franciscan Convent Zacatlán. 2 of 2. The Old Franciscan Convent Zacatlán was founded in 1562 built by the Franciscan order and is one of the first Catholic temples built in America and one of the oldest that still perform religious services. Construction began in 1562, almost eight years before the Cathedral of Mexico City, and twelve years before the Cathedral of Puebla. The building was completed and blessed by Hernando de Villagómez, third bishop of Tlaxcala, on November 21, 1564. The building got an extensive restoration in 2009.