Santa Ana Tlacotenco: Church, Agave and Festival Traditions

Santa Ana Tlacotenco can be explored through several specific themes: the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana, agave and pulque, the annual celebration of Saint Anne, and the agricultural terrace system. When planning your trip, you can consider whether architecture, a tasting, festival traditions or agriculture best matches your interests. The town is also home to the Academy of Nahuatl Language and Culture and a public market at the Zócalo.

Church and Building History

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana was a former 17th-century monastery and was declared a historic monument on October 15, 1933. Its architecture includes a nave with a transept, a dome, a bell tower and a choir; it also has a wooden floor and a simple Renaissance main portal. In church architecture, the nave is the longitudinal space, which the transept crosses. These terms help explain the building’s layout. The 17th-century date and the 1933 monument designation refer to different historical points: the time of construction and its later recognition.

Agave, Pulque and Milpa

On the Magueyal en el paraje Acazoltitla experience, a traditional tlachiquero guides visitors through an agave field. They explain how agave is planted, how long production takes, how the plant is topped and scored, and how aguamiel is collected. The Ruta Bebida de los Dioses focuses on something different and includes tastings of aguamiel, pulque and pulque distillate. This distinction can help you choose: Magueyal centers on a guided tour and explanations in the field, while the Ruta focuses on tasting three named drinks. If you plan to take part in either experience, check the current arrangements in advance.

The Ruta de la Milpa also begins with a specific agricultural task: cutting nopal leaves for breakfast. Check in advance whether this experience is currently offered if you would like to include it in your plans.

Feast Day of Saint Anne

The feast day of Saint Anne is celebrated annually on July 26; the entire town of Santa Ana Tlacotenco gathers on this day. Traditional dances are performed in the atrium, including the Dance of the Moors and Christians, considered the best known. Traditional dishes served at the festival include mole, rice and tamales. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.

Local Culture and Market

Santa Ana Tlacotenco is home to the Academy of Nahuatl Language and Culture. The agricultural terrace system is of great economic, cultural and ecological importance to the town. The Santa Ana Tlacotenco public market is in the Zócalo area, at the northwest corner of Cuauhtémoc and Avenida Casas Aleman. If you plan to visit the market, check its current location locally, as it may change.

Discover more destinations: Álvaro Obregón, Iztapalapa, Coyacán, Xochimilco, Cuauhtémoc, Azcapotzalco, Mexico City

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