Tlaxcala City, Tlaxcala

Regarding cultural, historical and monumental heritage, Tlaxcala is the richest state in the country, according to the size of its geographical surface.

Although there is some evidence of human settlements in the region of Tlaxcala that goes back to 12000 years, the first cultural registration that has been done is related to the Tzompantepec culture 1700 years B.C. From that point in time, other cultural evidences have been classified including Tlatempa, Texoloc, Tezoquipan, Tenanyecac, Texcalac, and Tlaxcala. It is under this last human groups, between 1100 and 1519 A.D. that the geographical and political divisions called "Señorios" appeared.

Among the most important archaeological zones just 4 km. from the city of Tlaxcala, Tizatlan stands out due to the use of bricks that were seldom in pre-Hispanic times. In Tizatlan, two altars are painted with murals in different colors and the motives are related to the religion.

Colonial architecture is present in Tlaxcala city since the XVI century. The ex Franciscan Convent of the Virgin of the Assumption is a group built between 1524 and 1540. It includes a series of baroque retables and the first pulpit of the New Spain located in the Chapel of the Third Order.

Other examples include the Parish of the Saint Cross, from the XVI century and the Parish of San Joseph, from the XVIII century, which houses interesting baroque paintings.

The Palace of Government is Tlaxcala was built in 1545 and, in the XX century, artist Desiderio Hernandez Xochiteotzin began the painting of murals under the title "Tlaxcala Throughout Time".

The Constitution Square was designed in 1524 and today it features a kiosk and a fountain, known as the Fountain of the Saint Cross, that was a present of king Felipe IV in 1646.

The Municipality Palace belongs to the XVI century and in its interior features Rococo and Art Nouveau decoration styles.

Other colonial style buildings are the Archaeological Museum, the Handicraft Market, the Xicotencatl Theater, and the Bullring.

The most important trading day of the state takes place in Tlaxcala city every Saturday. It is its extensive variety of available products that have made this event so important.

Tlaxcala city, as capital of this diverse state, offers lodging options for every budget, restaurants that serve regional and international dishes, entertainment alternatives including discos, bars, bullfights, fairs, and natural attractions.

The Tlaxcala City Convention Center offers 1983 square meters in one floor, with a capacity of 3000 people. Its great architecture include 10 halls with sliding walls to divide the spaces into sections according to different needs. It counts with state of the art equipment, exposition and exhibition areas, press hall, kitchen, among other services.

The state of Tlaxcala and its different cities offer museums, civil and religious architecture, and archaeological zones. Craftmanship is a common activity not only in the city of Tlaxcala, but throughout the state. Ceramics, textiles, stone, clay, and wood are basic materials that are transformed into useful and beautiful artifacts.

"La Trinidad" is the most important resort in the state featuring an hotel, swimming pools, restaurant, artificial lakes, and beautiful gardens.

National Park "La Malintzin", located in the skirts of this mountain, offers woods and plenty of camping facilities.

Cacaxtla is one of the most important archaeological sites not only in Tlaxcala, but in Mexico. This site with more than 1000 years of antiquity is believed to had been the bastion of the Olmec - Xicalanca culture. Its main attraction is a series of murals which keep its original colors depicting different important facts and aspects of this ancient culture.

Excellent gastronomy along with fine lodging invite to visit the capital city Tlaxcala as well as to travel through this tiny yet amazing state.