Leisure & Activities
The very loyal city of Tlaxcala, is one of the oldest cities of the New Spain, founded in 1525, by the conqueror Hernan Cortes, a real treasure of colonial architecture, the beauty of its civilian and religious constructions from the XVI to XIX centuries which are real artistic historical jewels that nowadays the visitors are able to appreciate.
Its actual name in Nahuatl means “Tortilla Place or Corn Bread”, amazingly the city does not match the traditional Spanish style; which means that the civilian and religious power were established in the Central Plaza, which in the case of Tlaxcala was not that way, its church was built as well as the San Francisco convent, outside the main plaza, nevertheless, the city remains by a strong foreign flavor and has several colonial buildings from the XIX century worthy admiring.
In the XVII century the baroque décor that can be observed all over the city; due to the fact that Indian labor was utilized and was named as popular baroque or Tlaxcalan.
In the XVIII century the buildings continued to rise along the known style “palafoxian”, which was applied on the dates of brick and talavera tile along with the neoclassic style which eventually modified diverse temples.
Historic Center Of Tlaxcala
Constitution Plaza:
You can start off to tour around this city in this plaza, which began developing there, formerly known as Plaza de Armas, and its outstanding Kiosk from the XIX century and the Santa Cruz fountain that dates back from the year 1646; which decors the beautiful gardens and big trees as well as the colonial buildings that surrounds it.
Government Palace:
Located north side of the Constitution Plaza, this construction was built in 1945, one of its main attractions is the Wall Paintings that performed Desidero Hernandez Xochitiotzin, and in which the state history is narrated.
San Jose Parish:
Located on the northwest area of the Constitution Plaza, place which once was occupied by Ermita Mariana. Its construction began in the early XVII century and concluded in the XVIII century, its plants formate a cross shape, which façade reflects the baroque style covered on bricks.
Justice Palace (Indian Royal Chappel):
It is located on the northern side of the Constitution Plaza and ever since 1984 is the headquarters of Judicial Power. Its construction dates from the year of 1528, Fray Andres de Cordoba honoring the king of Spain Carlos V, and was suffragette by the 4 Tlaxcala Gentlemen.
In 1796 the building endured a fire on which its hall was lost and in 1800 an earthquake made it collapse partially, therefore was abandoned.
Stone Old House:
Construction on the south side of Constitution Plaza which dates back from the XVI century, which belonged to a lawyer, which façade was built with the stone that the poor people paid off on his services. It currently lodges Hotel Posada San Francisco.
Hidalgo Portal and Chico Portal:
Formerly known as the Real Portal and Parian Portal, are located on the east and the southeast area from Constitution Plaza. Its construction took place under Diego Ramirez administration during the XVI century; the construction took place under different faces, as clear evidence there are variations on its columns and its arches. Eventually the buildings were modified and the central one lodges the Tlaxcala's council headquarters, the rest remain its original spirit.
Council Headquarters:
This building dates back from the XVI century. Its long arches, lodges its crowded portals called Hidalgo and Parian, that eventually were modified and upgraded in the XIX century, its façade is a neoclassic style with a certain popular shape. In 1985, was restored to lodge the Tlaxcala Major office and ever since is known by its current name, inside there is a beautiful patio with a fountain.
Ex-Convent Franciscano de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion:
Headquarters of the first Bishop council from New Spain and current Cathedral of Tlaxcala, this building is a monumental construction which dates back from the year 1537, conformed by two atriums: one in the upper section embracing three big arches which links the bell tower and the cloister. This was the scenario for the first dramatic play in Nahuatl tongue.
As the first constructions, the church's façade is plain, inside, this church preserves several master pieces and outstands its beautiful crafted ceiling, one of the biggest and best preserved in the continent.
The whole floor is one piece and over the right side emphasizes 4 chapels: one from the XVI century dedicated to the Cristo de Centli or de Cortes made of corn cane.
The second one is dedicated to the Guadalupe Virgin, where you can notice the crafted fence which dates back from the XVII century and was elaborated in the Filipin Islands, as well as the baroque boards of salomonic columns.
Open Chapel of the Ex Convent Franciscano de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción:
Under the lower atrium there is the Open Chapel with three arches. The vault is conformed on gothic style shapes. It was concluded in 1539; without a doubt, is the biggest contribution that Mexico has offered in the worldwide architecture.
Plaza de Toros (Bullfight Ring) “El Ranchero” Aguilar:
Located precisely on the west side area from the Ex Convent Franciscano de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion. Was built in the XVII century on rocks, adobe breaks. It's known that the first bullfights in Tlaxcala date from the year 1788. This plaza construction encouraged the foundation of several cattle establishments in the country such as: Mimiahuapan, Piedras Negras, Rancho Seco, Tenexac, among others. During the second half of October and the beginning of November, during the Tlaxcala Celebrations, you find several events where famous performers participate, and many distinguish as an art.
Heroes Perron:
Built during the 1960 decade, it is also a monument and fountain. On the stairs break spaces you will find heroes statues such as Miguel Hidalgo, Morelos, Allende and Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez. In the upper part outstands the figure of Tlaxcala hero Xicohencatl Axayacatzin.
Tlaxcala Convention Center:
Spread on a surface of more than 30 thousand square meters this modern building was constructed, satisfying the expectations required for all kind of events. Inside the spectacular design, its functional facilities offer rooms for different purposes, exhibit areas, expos, business offices, reception area, press room, kitchen, restrooms and surveillance security plus all the services required. With a total capacity for 2,800 people and the space is noticeable between ten rooms with sliding acoustic walls, to section rooms for simultaneous activities.
Legislative Ex-Palace:
Its construction dates back from the XIX century by the orders of the Governor Prospero Cahuantzi to lodge the State Congress; it was opened on May 10, 1901 and function as such until 1982, since 1987 it has been headquarters of Tourism Department.
Xicohtencatl Theater:
Beautiful building that begun to function in 1873 and is considered one of the most important artistic forums in the state; its windows are framed by twelve columns with French concepts that are very attractive.
Culture Palace:
Building constructed in 1939, that throughout the years has lodge the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Tlaxcala; which later on functioned as the state's middle high school and high school, Law department of the Univiersity of Tlaxcala and Colegio de Bachilleres. Since 1991, after its restoration, is been headquarters of the Tlaxcalteca Culture Institute, and offers exhibition rooms, house music and plastic art shops.
San Nicolas Chapel:
The cult to San Nicolas dates back from the XVI century, as an example there is a small chapel that once had a wood ceiling, but nowadays is part of one of the transversal chapels that were built during the XIX century as a devotion tribute to a wealthy family. The first one interior is very plain emphasizing the image of a Christ. The second one overlooks the Xicohtencatl Street.
Pocito de Agua Chapel:
Is located 400 meters from the Ocotlan Santuary and right in the small stairs there is placed a small chapel's atrium that climb towards the beginning of the sanctuary. It's said that when the Ocotlan Virgen appeared offered water from the pocito (water flowing) to cure diseases. Right in that place there was a small chapel that was built at the end of the XVII and the beginning of XVIII centuries which faithful believers drank the water that emerged from the grounds. Between 1892 and 1896 a chapel was built to protect the flowing. The current one is on an octagon shape and was built at beginning of the XX century. You appreciate the entrance arch and its interior columns where there are paintings with scenes that reminisces the Ocotlan Virgin show up. The paintings were performed by the artists Ysauro G. Cervantes, Desiderio Hernandez Xochitiotzon and Pedro Avelino.
Ocotlan Church:
This monumental building had its origins in 1541, year that the Maria Virgin appeared to the native Juan Diego Bernardino. The façade and the church towers built between 1760 and 1790 being some of f the finest pieces that can be appreciated, harmonizing with the bricks that cover the walls. The church is composed by two edifications, Guadalupe Chapel with paintings that narrate the Ocotlan virgin appearing and also a keyboard piano from the XVIII century. You can appreciate the paintings on its 8 columns from the artist Juan de Villalobos from the XVII century that narrates the Maria Virgin's life. Another notorious element is the wood table located in the center. Without a doubt, Ocotlan is one of the biggest religious destinations in Mexico and has been visited by millions of pilgrims since the XVI century. Celebrations take place on the first and the third Monday of May, when the Virgin image is taken around Tlaxcala.
Tlaxcala Museums:
Ever since the Porfirio Diaz Era, the array of museums in the state of Tlaxcala has been growing, nowadays museums not only contain history but they also make it and there is where you can identify the tradition on which its roots proudly emphasize.
Tlaxcala Regional Museum (INAH):
Occupies the Ex-Convent Hall Franciscano and at the same time was built with stones from the Indian regions.
With two floors, it's main floor is on a square shape, the first patio which is limited by three arches and the center is occupied by the fountain. The museum offers 9 rooms that reflect the state's chronologic scenario.
Thereby, in the first rooms dedicated to the pre Hispanic era exhibit pieces that were recovered from Cacaxtla, Xochitecatl, Tecuague, Tizatlan y Ocotelulco, among other sites.
On the upper floor a magnificent collection from the colonial era is exhibit that covers furniture, books, and religious paintings which is worth mentioning San Francisco de Asis and San Nicolas de Bari.
Among its services it also offers a library specialized in History and Anthropology.
Tlaxcala Memory Museum:
Located in a beautiful big house built in the XVI century. It is a modern interactive museum that rescues the historic memory of the Tlaxcala culture, in which covers the era from the beginning of the XVI century until the end of the XIX century.
The pieces exhibit here, are paintings, document replicas that describe historical events, such as: the Native-Indian auto-government at the beginning of the colonial era, the beginning of the crossbreed, the development of the New Spain economy, the painters and its colonial codes during the conquest of Mexico's Northern part, by Tlaxcalan families.
In the lower part, a room which offers temporary exhibit services, auditorium with a capacity for 50 people, a book store and handcrafts, administration offices and soon opening a coffee shop.
It is the only museum that offers an elevator for handicap people and seniors.
Tlaxcalas Art Museum:
This is a forum for the expression and exhibition for the visual arts, particularly contemporary, and suggests choices for the diverse local, national and international artistic expressions.
Currently this museum is conceived as a wide project that reunites the infrastructure according to the quality worldwide standards and safety.
The museums array consists on six Frida Kahlo master pieces which are permanently on exhibition, very interesting ones, since they belong from her early works.
The Art Museum is located in the Constitution Plaza #21, right in the city’s Historic Downtown. Consists on a building from the XIX century of a classic design, which has been restored and adapted to suit strict safety standards.
Living Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions (Handcrafts House):
As its own name says, this museum rescues, promotes and commercializes the state's handcrafts through activities that the artisans themselves performed in its different shops. This is possible by observing the workers in action. Moreover they serve as guides for the visitors, that way making it unique among its genre. Offers 9 meeting rooms that exhibit more than 3,000 pieces about many aspects from the state such as: Nature, History, Daily life, Religion, Economy Activities, Fairs, Celebrations, and most of all, the Pulque Pulture; in fact, you can find a Pulqueria which will allow you to order many different flavors from this exotic drink.
Among its services you can find the handcraft shop, a room with multiple purposes and a dining room where you will enjoy from different traditional dishes from the region.
Alternative Tlaxcala
Tlaxcala, on a beautiful and endless tile, is also a paradise to admire its extensive nature. The great geographic diversity makes out of Tlaxcala an ideal place for the alternative tourism in the segments of adventure tourism and ecotourism for those who are extreme sports enthusiasts such as excursions, mountain trekking, camping, rappel, horse riding or mountain bike. As you can notice, if your search for rest, adventure, practicing sports or simply enjoying from the nature beauty, Tlaxcala is a state that offers you great surprises.
Tizatlan Botanical Garden:
Beautiful place created to investigate and rescue the botanical heritage of the state, plus offering a real encounter with nature, touring around it is a real pleasure by its nice pirul aromas, capulin, ayacahuite, tepozanes, tejocotes, and holm oaks; that get a hold of us and transport us to a world of relaxation and meditation. This magnificent place offers the following sections: aquatic plants, xerofilas, and greenhouse; library, multi purpose room and theater room.
Altiplano Zoo:
Located in San Pablo Apetatlan, only few minutes from Tlaxcala City. It offers an extension of 13 acres, which lodges 217 animals out of 63 species such as: Mammals, birds and reptiles, all the inhabitants of Mexico's central area. Inside its facilities technical and educational areas are included, interactive rooms inside the audiovisual saloon.
The animal diversity possesses on Zoo parks the determined support and many species on the edge to disappear but the possibility to survive thanks to the success obtained on the upbringing of species on captivity, which babies will be useful to populate their natural habitat. Therefore the preservation program that the Zoo offers consists on the reproduction of six different wild cat species, two deer species and other four bird species, all endangered species.
Aquatic Park Palo Huerfano:
A popular aquatic park located in Amayac de Guerrero that offers swimming pools fed by a spring. Offers basic services, green areas and parking lot.
Vacational Center La Trinidad:
Only 14 km from the city of Tlaxcala, is where this famous Vacational Center is located. Spread on a 72 hectares surface the visitor will find the necessary services for a great stay with extended green areas, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, tennis courts, gotcha, ATVs, go karts, artificial lake to go on a boat, restaurant, coffee shop, convention center and comfortable guestrooms.
Inside the area there are also aquatic parks such as: Santa Lucia, las Cumbres, Xochitla, las Truchas y el Montecito, ideal sites for a pleasant pic nic day full of fun.
Cuaxomulco, Cuatlapanga Hill:
Located 20 km northern from Tlaxcala city, where you will be able to get to this hill that reaches about 400 meters over the valley surface. That's where mountain activities can be performed, you will find down hills with different difficulties to practice diverse techniques and styles; the formation reaches a peak height of 2,900 meters over the ocean level.
Atlangatepec, Atlanga Dam:
20 km south Tlaxco is located Atlanga Dam, an enormous water mirror, with a variety of bird species that reflect a frame of sport fishing and sailing. There are boats to tour around the lagoon.
Tourist Center “Fuerte Apache”:
A unique place that opens the doors of Atlanga Dam, offers a restaurant bar, sports facilities, games for kids, barbeque grills, camping zone, a place where you will enjoy from a delicious grilled fish.
Tlaxco-Acopinalco del Peñon:
The diverse geography of Tlaxco municipality, offers excellent forest areas such as Acopinalco del Peñon, a canyon with different elevation levels and rocky walls where mountain sports can be practiced. The best sites are the Picacho del Aguila and the Peña del Rosario. The vintage point on the peaks located on the edges, where main peaks are found, including the outstanding Malinzti.
La Barca de la Fe:
It is located in San Andres Buena Vista. In the year of 1984 its population encouraged by Arnulfo Mejia Rojas, decided to reconstruct the church that they have started to build ten years before. Nowadays built on an arch shape, the décor of the temple, called Barca de la Fe, includes mainly hieroglyphs, pre Hispanic and occidental symbols used by the catholic in the XVI century, with the purpose to transmit the concepts to its followers beyond the forms and times, and be able to achieve throughout the languages utilized by both cultures at the same time.
Huamantla, National Park La Malinzti:
Only a figure can be admired from any location of Tlaxcala state: The Malintzi volcano with a height of 4,461 m.a.s.l., and the fifth tallest volcano in the country, where you will find matchless natural landscapes. The park occupies the mountain sacred bottoms of the antique Tlaxcalans: the Matlacueyetl “The one with blue skirts", the water goddess.
Recently, at 4,000 m.a.s.l. were found remains of what probably was its sanctuary, which former natives used to incur to offer and request to be given rain.
In this mystical mountain you will find cliffs that represent a great challenge to mountain enthusiasts, such as the cliffs of San Juan, considered one of the most beautiful in Mexico. The park offers canyons, landscapes and pine forests that hosts a great array of birds and typical species from this habitat such as hares, rabbits and armadillos that are all around the park. On the winter time the temperature drops very low to the point of snowing at times, which gives it an extra attractive reason.
Vacational Centre La Milintzi:
Located in the National Park, that's where you find a familiar and recreational paradise that offers all the attractions and comfort for an endless fun, it also offers cabins with all the services, tents for rent, restaurant, mini market, and game room for kids, multi purpose room, parking lot, sport courts and handcraft shop. It offers 24 hour surveillance service.
Cuapiaxtla, Cuapiaxtla Desert:
Nevertheless, when it comes to unbelievable places, the Cuapiaxtla desert is very notorious, and is located 17 km to the north of Huamantla. Despite its small territory, it possesses the qualities and attractions of any desert, with sand dunes, with some vegetation from the zone. Without a doubt Tlaxcala is a rich ecologic frame.
Archaeological Tlaxcala
The pre Hispanic record revolves to the year 380 of our era when groups such as chichimecas were established in the region. Before the Spaniards arrival, the territory that nowadays occupies the Tlaxcalan municipality was divided by Señorios, the most important ones were Tepeticpac, Ocotelulco, Quiahuixtlan and Tizatlan.
Tlaxcala was a peaceful place until the Olmecas-Xicalancas invasion caused conflicts and fights for the power and the land.
It's believed that Olmecas-Xicalancas came from the coast and were established on the Nativitas region. Situated its capital in Cacaxtla, in the heights of a hill, where recently were discovered important pyramids and paintings that let us know about their fights against other groups. They also built small fortress cities around its capital, such as Xochitecatl, and others in the area of Calpulapan, such Teacuaque, La Herradura and Los Cerritos.
Tizatlan Archaeological Zone:
3 km north of Tlaxcala city, you will find the archaeological zone of Tizatlan, it was founded by Teochichimecas on the XVII century, and it was here when in the year of 1519 an alliance pact between Spaniards and Tlaxcalans was made, which would begin the fall of the Mexica Empire. This was the home of Xicohtencatl Axcayacatzin, chief of the Tlaxcalan militia that fought the Spaniard invaders until they had to submit under by its father and three other decision to finally accept the alliance with the Spaniards.
Ocotelulco:
Located only two kilometers from Tlaxcala city. Due to the constant harassment from the Mexicas the ancient natives chose a hill to establish themselves and from there then try to domain the entity. It was famous also by its enormous market: at the end of 1990 one of the most important events of the XX century took place in this site: the polychrome altar where a great mask is distinguished where Xipe-Totec rests.
Cacaxtla:
Is a bastion of the Olmeca-Xicalanca, located 19 km southern of the Tlaxcalan capital in San Miguel del Milagro, Nativitas municipality; outstanding by being one of the richest archaeological zones on pre Hispanic paintings that adorns many buildings, which site is protected by the climate bastion by a roof.
In November 13th, 1975, by fortune, part of its murals were discovered and was ever since that the archaeological work began to rescue these amazing paintings, buildings and figures of this array. Thereby year by year different activities are performed as a reason of anniversary.
Cacaxtla reached its prime during the so called Epiclassic period (650-900 B.C.), when controlled Tlaxcala's southern and part of Puebla. Around the year 1000, the site was totally abandoned. In the XVI century Diego Muñoz Camargo makes reference of Cacaxtla; nevertheless, it wasn't until 1975 when it begun to work as an archaeological site.
Xochitecatl:
Archaeological zone, 2 km from Cacaxtla, in the San Miguel Xochitecatitla of Natividas Municipality. Its name in Nahuatl means “Flower lineage place”, was sited in the top of a hill where terraces are found that probably were used as guestrooms for the culturing.
Offers an interesting museum that offers an splendid view of the historic process of the place, as well as the perspective of the development of archaeological investigations than from time to time have been have come out on its constructions and inhabitants. Exhibitions of the main rescued pieces during the zone explorations, and its divided in two zones: one is open air with a collection of sculptures made of stone, where a frog and a jaguar figures from the years of 200 to 300 b.C. outstand, and the other section lodges pieces elaborated with mud, you find domestic utensils, some war characters, female figures, shell collars and images of the god Tlaloc, as well as the many ceremonial pieces.
The zone is composed by four structures such as: the Flower Pyramid that locates on the east central plaza. And which is composed by eight escalated bodies. The dimension of its rectangular floor is 144 m from north-south, and 115 m from east to west, which is considered the fourth biggest structure of Meso America.
At the steps there are two enormous water reservoirs as a purified symbol; although some say that were used to observe the stars. This becomes notorious during the spring equinox, when an amazing show is appreciated: the sun born and die throughout the center of the stones.
The snake Pyramid is located on the extreme side of the central side, this structure of a rectangular base, called that way due to a sculpture of a snake head inside the water tank which is still possible observing.
The Espiral Pyramid is a unique building of its type, is located on the extreme part of the west and is distinguish by its circular base. It’s believed that was dedicated to Ehecatl, the god of wind. At the central part the Basamento de los Volcanes is found, that on its southern façade presents a curve which over it raises a vertical wall.
Annually during March 20th and 21rst the traditional Spring Equinox takes place.
Other archaeological sites
During the last years, Tlaxcala has been a place of constant archaeological events that contribute on more information about the past of Tlaxcala. That's how places such as Tecuaque, “Snakes Stone Place”, that is close to Calplulapan, in 1993 here's where took place the craniums and other remains from horses of Arabian race, as well as a certain bone that belongs to a certain ape race as well as the perforations indicate that this is the home of a brave village of Zultepec. Among vestiges that nowadays are appreciated, it also outstanding a circular pyramid dedicated to Ehecatl, inside a ceremonial place perhaps dedicated to Quetzalcoatl.
The spur and the little hills complement the Archaeological zones of Tecuague. The spur is located to Calpulalpan south, and its known that occupied 50 hectares; unfortunately many modern constructions have taken place; nevertheless, the explorations have extracted remains of what could have been a palace, as well as an important quantity of archaeological pieces, which it has been possible establishing the suiting era: 200 to 500 a.C.
Its architectonic characteristic is Teotihuacan type: four structures oriented to the respective cardinal points, with scale access. In the upper part of the palace there were identified rectangular guestrooms. Defined by walls that once were covered by murals, with the scanty fragments there was possible to identify a jaguar figure.
In the Cerritos have been identifying small buildings lined up as mountain peaks, its construction axle has the same orientation as the Teotihuacan ones.
There so much to rescue and study; nevertheless, the mystery that invades these archaeological sites makes us think that were very much important during its era.
Hotel Gallery
Click to view image detail
Tel:+52 (246) 462 44 49 Fax:+52 (246) 462 44 49
Internet Marketing Strategy and Design by : UniVisit.net
Real Tlaxcala Hotel is a partner of www.VisitMexicoHotels.com