Tlaxala

Overview

A two-hour drive from Mexico City you find Tlaxcala. Surrounded by three majestic volcanoes - Popocatépetl, Ixtaccihuatl and La Malinche it is the charming colonial capital of the smallest state in Mexico. The elegant main square is surrounded by colonial architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries and sidewalk cafes shaded by a graceful arcade. Baroque churches are plentiful in the city and neighboring villages.

The city if Tlaxcala is a major commercial, industrial, gastronomic and cervice center.  Its attractions include important civic and religious constructions built between the 16th and 19th century that are artistic and historical treasures, such as the Main Square, Government Building, City Hall and Courthouse, the cathedral, the church and convent of St. Francis and the Basilica of Ocotlan, among others.

Just 25 km outside of you find the pre-hispanic archeological sites of Xochitecatl and Cacaxtla with its original Mayan murals. For hiking, head for La Malinche State Park. Lodges, picnic areas, hiking trails and food services are available. The 14,500 foot summit of the dormant volcano is reachable by a breath-taking day hike. Other daytrips include the colonial city of Puebla .

History