The Dominican monastery of Cuilapan has a cloister with two floors, a large church, a small church, a pilgrim's gate, novitiate, stables, a large atrium, an extensive orchard and the controversial open chapel. At the far end of the chapel is a stone plaque with Mixtec inscriptions. The Indian builders of the monastery carved the date 1555. According to my references, the chapel was left unfinished because of the criticism drawn by the exploitation of Indian labor in its construction. However, our guide at the site told us that it was unfinished as planned because Indians, though forced to worship, were not allowed inside the building. It is currently being rehabbed.
