St. Michael the Great was founded in 1542 among the Purépecha and Guamara Indians as a mission. Its prosperity came within a few years of being a pivotal point of the routes between mining towns and the capital of New Spain. Much of its main buildings were built in the 18th century, its peak time. It was in that same period (1740 - 1776) that the incredible sanctuary of Atotonilco was also erected; this is why the intense Baroque atmosphere of both sets is due.