Mexico has a rich historical heritage that covers a range of thousands of years. One of this architectonical patrimony is the colonial churches. They are mainly masonry structures prone to seismic damage and collapse, as it was remarked in previous earthquakes especially the ones of September 7 and 19 of 2017. These historical buildings are characterized by different features, especially the presence of belfries in their façades. Belfries, independently of their different shapes and slenderness, have an appendix like behaviour and are one of the most vulnerable elements in a colonial church. Statistical studies of 67 Mexican belfries affected by 2017 and 2020 earthquakes were applied and repetitive patterns of damage were detected such as torsion, damage of arches and domes, detachment at the base. The article presents possible solutions to be applied on the damaged belfries. The series of the proposed solutions goes from traditional to novel techniques: injection and local intervention; replacing deteriorated materials; external reinforcement with high-performance materials compatible with the original materials of construction; tie and pre-stressed bars; total reconstruction and use of base isolators.

Keywords: historical buildings, seismic damage, Mexican belfries, intervention techniques.