The settlement was founded in the eighth century and was an important commerce center at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

[2] According to an ancient myth, when the gods created the first man, they took him from the waters of Lake Texcoco and placed him alone in Acolman.

Acolman is the modern name but the settlement has been referred to as Oculma, Axuruman and Aculma in colonial era documents.

During one of the floods, the monastery was submerged in over six feet of water, covering the church floor with silt and nearly destroying the cloisters.

The Central Library and Casa de la Cultura contain paintings and sculptures by a native of Acolman named Parmeno.

At the municipal market, foods such as mixiote, barbacoa, consume and turkey in mole can be found as well as pulque.

These are celebrated with traditional dances such as Concheros, Arrieros, Contradance, Pastores, Inditos and Teomates as well as fireworks, amusement rides and music.

There are also horse races, bullfighting, nativity scenes, "pastorelas" a type of play based on the Christmas season, regional dance, and popular music shows.

[2][5][8] The crown of battlements, the single bell tower, the open chapel and the Plateresque facade identify the complex as a classic 16th century religious construction.

The fortress appearance of complexes of this time were not literally for protection but rather served to dominate the landscape much as mediaeval castles in Europe did.

[7] Restoration work has been done in this complex since the 1920s, which has revealed all of the church’s facade and the atrium is terraced down to its original level of construction.

[2] The complex is fronted by a large square atrium, and a courtyard before that, the two of which are today separated by a road[2][8] The most important feature of this atrium area is the 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) high stone cross, which is considered to be an important expression of "tequitqui" or Christian art executed by Indian craftsmen from the very early colonial period.

[2] The cross is decorated with plants, flowers and flames at the top (which allude to the Passion of Christ) all sculpted into the stone.

[3] At the foot of the stone cross is a Madonna figures who has been identified as the Virgin of Sorrows and even associated with the goddess Coatlicue.

[3] To the back of the atrium area is the main church, with its rose/tan Plateresque facade reminiscent of the Colegiata de Santa María in Calatayud, Spain.

The facade has Classical composite columns with Plateresque sections below the ribbon garniture, Saint Paul under a deep, Gothic-like canopy with a Renaissance angel below.

[2] This facade was mostly likely created by Spanish craftsmen and had significant influence on other Augustinian church fronts in New Spain, especial at Yuriria and Cuitzeo in Michaocán and at Metztitlán in Hidalgo.

[2] These Baroque altarpieces are all sculpted in wood and gilded, decorated with plants, flower, celestial figures and angels.

[5] The presbytery has a late medieval ribbed vault and important frescos in black, white and orange, with images of saints on thrones, priests and Augustine popes.

The Claustro Chico or small cloister is of simple architecture, constructed in stone with a cross in the center which has an anagram of Jesus' name.

It also has sun and moon designs, common during the early colonial period, which reflect both old European astrological symbols as well as the importance of these in native art.

It has three main halls which give a detailed explanation of the construction of the site, the lives of the monks and the collection of paintings and religious objects that are on display.

In the lower, flatter regions, the flora consists of shrubs, grasses, cactus and other plants adapted to dry areas.

Orchards also exist there producing capulins, peaches, pears, figs, plums, white sapote, tejocotes and apricots.

The second most important economic activity is industry, producing processed foods, drinks, tobacco products and leather goods.

[11] Of those working in the municipality, less than ten percent of the population is employed in agriculture with the rest evenly split between industry and commerce.

The reasons behind the grades are that while the municipality has a moderate amount of debt and adequate financial development, there have been some management issues in recent years.

The Sierra de Patlachique is an eco-tourism park with facilities for picnicking, swimming, football, cycling and camping.