It had an annexed hospital that was mainly used by travelers on the Camino Real from Veracruz to the capital of the viceroyalty.

In 1696, it was destroyed by an earthquake, and the current building was constructed in 1763. It lost one of its towers in another earthquake in 1973.

It is famous because it houses the remains of Catalina de Erauso, known as "The Nun Lieutenant," a famous character from the 17th century. Born in Spain, she traveled through Panama, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and finally Mexico, where she dressed as a man to escape from a convent and fought in several battles. After settling in Mexico, she gave up her adventurous life and established a freight transportation business between Mexico City and Veracruz.