after the spanish conquest of the aztec empire, spanish soldiers took possession of the land and its people under the encomienda system. the first spanish lord of the zacatlán area was hernán lópez de avila. in 1522, the indigenous inhabitants were moved to what is now tenamitec, then to san pedro atmatla in 1524. in 1562, they were moved again to found what is now zacatlán. the franciscans built a monastery and cemetery here. in 1661, this complex came under the control of regular priests. in 1676, the area was reorganized as the indian republic of zacatlán. the cultivation of apples was introduced in the early 17th century and has been a major economic factor since.