Tlaxcala: Discover History and Culture

Travelers considering Tlaxcala as a destination will find a clear cultural focus: a designated historic center, significant buildings, and several museums. The themes range from the architecture of an early Franciscan monastery to the history of traditional handicrafts. If you are looking for a hotel in Tlaxcala, you can base your choice of location on specific interests: local history, architecture, collections, or a cultural tradition.

Historic Center and City History

The Zona de Monumentos Históricos de Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl was designated on April 11, 1986. It covers 0.503 km² and 33 blocks with historically and architecturally significant buildings. Xicoténcatl National Park also includes the historic center of the city of Tlaxcala.

Buildings with Different Stories

The Ex Convento Franciscano de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Tlaxcala was one of the first four Franciscan monasteries in the Americas. It preserves much of its original architecture and now houses the Museo Regional de Tlaxcala. The building thus connects its early role in the history of the Franciscans in the Americas with its present-day use as a regional museum.

The Catedral de Tlaxcala is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Asunción; its interior features a wooden ceiling in the Mudéjar style. The Palacio Municipal was built in the mid-16th century as the seat of the Indigenous city council. Its murals now depict the history of Tlaxcala. The Teatro Xicoténcatl reflects a different period of construction: it was built between 1923 and 1945 in the neoclassical style. Its façade is made of cantera stone and adorned with fan-shaped decorative elements. The Santuario, also known as the Basílica de Ocotlán, is distinguished by its Baroque style, red brick, and whitewashed surface. Its architectural features thus span the periods from Neoclassicism to the Baroque.

The Plaza de Toros Jorge “el Ranchero” Aguilar is also one of the city’s characteristic places. It is considered one of Mexico’s oldest and most beautiful bullrings. This is a cultural characterization of the building; in itself, it says nothing about current events.

Museums, Art, and Handicrafts

The Museo Vivo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares de Tlaxcala presents the history of the development of traditional handicrafts in Tlaxcala. Its address is Boulevard Emilio Sánchez Piedras 1, on the corner of 1° de Mayo in downtown Tlaxcala. Its focus is therefore on the craft traditions of the city and state.

The Museo de Arte de Tlaxcala displays a selection of New Spanish paintings and sculptures from the Museo del Carmen in Mexico City. The Museo de la Memoria offers a different perspective on history: its exhibitions change, and it also features a monthly changing display case on topics from the history of Tlaxcala. The two museums thus have different focuses—artworks on the one hand and changing historical topics on the other.

Goods from Spain and the Philippines were sold at Portal Hidalgo on the main plaza in the 16th century. The original wooden pillars have been altered over time. The site thus connects its historical role in trade with visible changes to its structural elements.

A Cultural Tradition

The Tlaxcala Carnival begins on the Friday before Ash Wednesday with the “tormento del tragafuegos.” During this ritual, a figure is burned from the feet to the head; it symbolizes the burning away of bad moods. If you want to plan your trip around the carnival, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Tlaxco, Santa María Atlihuetzián, Chiautempan, Terrenate, Santa María Ixtulco, Xalostoc, Huamantla, Totolac.

For the main travel overview: Tlaxcala.