Interdisciplinary perspective in the post-earthquake restoration of monumental religious buildings. The Franciscan convent of San Guillermo de Totalapan in Mexico

Cultural heritage buildings are invaluable remnants of history and culture, necessitating preservation against human and natural threats. Earthquakes, particularly in seismic-prone regions, pose severe risks to these structures due to their historical construction methods pre- dating modern seismic codes. Monumental buildings, despite their unique attention, face higher vulnerability due to their size. Safeguarding these structures is vital for transmitting cul- tural heritage to future generations. This requires compatible strengthening interventions, often implemented reactively post-earthquake. A case study on the San Guillermo de Totola- pan Franciscan monastery in Mexico, damaged in the 2017 Puebla earthquake, exemplifies the need for proactive restoration and structural improvements. An international interdisci- plinary research mission aimed to understand the monastery’s structural issues and proposed restoration methods. Despite subsequent restoration work deviating from these recommenda- tions, the study underscored the importance of evaluating architectural and structural consist- ency and seismic performance to prevent future damage to cultural heritage.