Tlaxcala
Discover Tlaxcala
Tlaxcala (Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl) is the capital of the state of Tlaxcala. The city still has many of its old colonial structures including the former Franciscan monastery, as well as newer civic structures such as the Xicohtencatl Theatre. It was home to 90,000 people in 2010. The city of Tlaxcala arrived rather late in the scene of the history of Mexico. Around the 14th century, four polities known as the Tepeticpac, Ocotelolco, Tizatlan and Quiahuiztlan inhabited this area and jointly fought against the aggressive Aztecs that sought to capture prisoners for live sacrifice. The Spanish established a settlement around 1522 to enlist these groups in Spain's own besiegement of the Aztecs, and to evangelize and subjugate these tribes as well. They lost their lands and original ways of life. Spain set up a diocese in the primeval form of Tlaxcala (a Nahuatl word meaning place of corn bread, by the way), but it was eventually relocated to Puebla as the population dwindled over time.
What to Experience in Tlaxcala
Taste of Tlaxcala...
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Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Tlaxcala.
The city celebrates Carnival starting the Friday before Ash Wednesday, with the burning of an effigy to represent “bad humor” accompanied by funeral music. The following day, the queen of the carnival is selected. The main parade with floats occurs on Tuesday. During the long weekend there are various other events such as dance contests and recitals of traditional dace such as that of the Huehues from the community of Acuitlapilco. On Ash Wednesday, ceremonies end with a hanging of an effigy called “La Octava del Carnaval” Often the image is satirical, and of a person considered worthy of criticism.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYou are out of luck insofar as air service here, but ATAH, Exal, Futura and ADO provide some connections to other cities via bus. The central bus station is It's a 50-minute bus ride from Puebla's bus station. The bus company Verdes is the main carrier. As of March 2022, the trip costs M$37, although you'll likely have to buy a rechargeable fare card for an additional M$10. It's a 1 hour and 50-minute ride from Mexico City's TAPO bus terminal. Suprabus and Autobuses Tlaxcala Apizaco Huamantla both run hourly buses to Tlaxcala. The trip costs M$200 (January 2023). If renting or driving your own car, Tlaxcala is an hour north of Puebla and about two hours east of Mexico City. The city center is compact and filled with colonial-era building painted in colors such as burnt umber, salmon pink and mustard yellow. Most of these buildings are centered on the main square called the Plaza de la Constitución....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city center is compact and filled with colonial-era building painted in colors such as burnt umber, salmon pink and mustard yellow. Most of these buildings are centered on the main square called the Plaza de la Constitución. This square measures 75 m (246 ft) on each side and was established when the Spanish laid out the city in 1524. The current name was given in 1813 to honor the Cádiz Constitution and the Mexican constitutions of 1857 and 1917. In the center of this square is the Santa Cruz Fountain which was donated to the city by Philip IV in 1646. There is also a kiosk which was constructed in the 19th century. The Portal Hidalgo is on the east side of the main square, built as commercial space in 1550. The city hall was moved from its centuries-old home in the “Casas Reales” to this complex. The interior is dominated by the city council chamber (Salón de Cabildos) along with various municipal offices.
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Glimpses of Tlaxcala
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Plaza de la Constitución
a building with a flag hanging from it's side
#Lavander
a bunch of leaves on the ground next to a tree
a purple tree with lots of purple flowers
a close up of a metal object
a hand holding a skull
a hand holding a pencil over a map
brown and gray water pipe switch
Look, enjoy and share this amazing life. Say hello at instagram.com/srcharls.visuals
Plaza de la Constitución
a building with a flag hanging from it's side