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| Tlaxcala | ||
| State | Tlaxcala | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 14.692 (2010) | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
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Tlaxcala (officially Tlaxcala de Xicoténcatl) is the state capital Tlaxcala in Mexico.
background
The addition "de Xicoténcatl" comes from the last independent general of the Tlaxcalteks who was against the pact between them and the Spaniards and was ultimately executed by Hernán Cortés. A monument in the center still commemorates the freedom fighter today.
history
Similar to the Aztecs, the Tlaxcalteks also belonged to a nomadic tribe who, according to legend, left the city of Aztlan at some point to find a home. What they have in common with the Aztecs, in addition to the same past, is also the same language (Náhuatl). They called their ultimate settlement "the place where bread is born" Tlaxcala. When the first large groups arrived, this led to the fall of the Olmec Xicalanca culture with the capital in Cacaxtla. Over time, a city developed with clear borders. But this was not always safe, but was constantly threatened by changing powers on the plateau. When the Aztecs finally took the helm, Tlaxcala was quickly encircled. But the Aztecs never took the empire, although armed conflicts were almost the order of the day. The theories about why diverge widely here. Once the Tlaxcalteks were known for their courage and their good warfare, so that one theory is based on the invincibility of the Tlaxcalteks. But if one assumes that the Aztec Empire stretched over 15 million people and the Tlaxcaltec state only had 150,000 inhabitants, it is difficult to understand that the Aztecs were unable to take this state by surprise. In addition, it was 100% dependent on the Aztecs for salt, clothing and feathers. But for the Aztecs it was probably more lucrative to keep this enemy close, firstly to keep the warriors always war experience through attacks and to continue to supply the temple complexes with fresh prisoners for sacrifice. As on 08/31/1519 Hernán Cortés targeted with 400 Spanish soldiers, 15 horses, 1300 Indian warriors and seven cannons Veracruz came into the area of the Tlaxcalteks, an army of 30,000 Tlaxcalteks faced him after only 10km. In the first battle, the Spaniards were able to escape despite the enormous superiority. But for the first time they met warriors who didn't seem to have any respect for horses. So Hernán Cortés resorted to another ruse and let the Tlaxcalteks run into an ambush. But the Tlaxcalteks learned quickly and hit the Spaniards hard, so that a total of 45 Spaniards died in the next three days. But the king of the Tlaxcalteks was very impressed by the fighting strength of the Spaniards and used the situation to take a surprising step. He offered Hernán Cortés peace and an alliance against the Aztecs. Hernán Cortés agreed. Subsequently, he and his men were received like heroes in Tlaxcala and you had time to tend your wounds. Strengthened by 6000 Tlaxcaltek warriors, Hernán Cortés moved for the first time on November 1st, 1519 towards Tenochtitlán (today Mexico City), the capital of the Aztecs. Here the chapter in Mexico City begin which led to the death of Montezuma and the loss-making escape from Tenochtitlán on July 1st, 1520. Again the Spaniards found refuge and security with the Tlaxcalc. Since the major attack by the Aztecs failed to materialize, new plans were forged to defeat the Aztecs. In the course of this, Hernán Cortés made many concessions, including the assurance of independence, the sharing of booty and the handover of the neighboring provinces to Tlaxcala. In the following months, the Tlaxcalteks were able to win more allies against the Aztecs and the Spaniards were able to organize reinforcements from the coast. With a superior force of 900 Spaniards with 18 cannons and no less than 150,000 Indian soldiers, they advanced on August 15, 1521 against Tenochtitlán, weakened by a smallpox epidemic.
Tenochtitlán was defeated on August 13, 1521. The decisive factor here was above all the knowledge and experience of the Tlaxcalcans, who knew exactly how the Aztecs behaved and were thus always able to give the alliance a strategic advantage. While in the following years all of Mexico was covered with the terror of colonization, Tlaxcala was comparatively spared. Only the Christianization was timely (1524) through the sending of 12 Franciscan monks. In 1535 the city of Tlaxcala was granted the use of a city arms and got the seat of the first Archdiocese of Nueva España (New Spain).
getting there
By plane
By train
By bus
In the street
By boat
mobility
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Tourist Attractions
- 2 Santuario de Ocotlán. This church dates back to the 17th century and is known for the baroque style stucco ceiling. It took more than 25 years to create the ceiling.
- 3 Tizatlan. Here you can find the palace of Xicoténcatl the Elder. As the ruling leader of the Tlaxcalteks, he had enforced the union with the Spanish. The chaplain Juan Díaz is said to be buried here. In 1927 two brightly colored altars adorned with characters were discovered here.
- 4 Ocotelolco. Here is the palace of Maxixcatzin, a powerful prince who also voted for the alliance with the Spaniards. The frescoes depicting the gods Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Xólotl, Quetzalcóatl and Mayahuel are worth seeing.
- 5 Convento de San Francisco. Dating from 1521, this is the oldest church on the American mainland. The roof is still made of wood and in front of the church is the so-called Capilla Abierta. The Tlaxcalteks were baptized here because they refused to be baptized in a closed building.
activities
shop
kitchen
Cheap
medium
Upscale
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
medium
Upscale
security
health
Practical advice
trips
- Parque Nacional La Malinche. National park around the volcano "La Malinche".
- Cacaxtla. Ruins of the Olmec-Xicalanca culture.
literature
Web links
- http://www.capitaltlaxcala.gob.mx/ - Official website of Tlaxcala
