Hacienda de La Zarca stretches across the plain formerly known as Llanos de la Magdalena in the 16th century, south of the Sierra de Peñoles. In this area, it was common to see large numbers of sheep and mules raised in its extensive pastures, which were then transported to the center of the Viceroyalty. Typically, flocks of sheep were sent to the textile mills (obrajes) of San Miguel, Querétaro, and Mexico City, while herds of mules were driven to the mines of Zacatecas and Guanajuato, primarily.

The lands that gave rise to this hacienda were granted to Juan Pérez de Vargas in 1586. Later, in 1890, construction began on the buildings that can be seen today, including the chapel and the main house. Both monuments feature a simple Neoclassical style.

The chapel, dedicated to Saint Matthew, the patron saint of the hacienda, and to Our Lady of Lourdes, a French Marian devotion associated with the healing of the sick, features a simple facade with attached columns and consists of a single story. Its roof is formed by a barrel vault that includes elements such as transverse arches, which are uncommon in temples in the region. The main house dates back to 1891, adhering to a Neoclassical style, and is designed with a layout centered around a central courtyard. It is surrounded by covered corridors that provide access to the rooms.