 In some of the complexes, one can see stone merlons which make the complexes look like castles or forts.These were for defensive purposes, as the monks were invading Mesoamerican lands to impose a new religion.For this reason, churches and monasteries of this type are called “fortress temples.”

Most of the monasteries have a large atrium in front of the church, an open chapel, four chapels in each corner of the atrium, and atrium cross, Stations of the cross on the atrium walls, a roofed church, and the cloister area for the monks.