Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It was his strategic alliance with the Tlaxcala Indians and other tribes that enabled Cortes
to proceed and conquer. Thousands of Tlaxcalans supported Cortes against the Aztecs and
wept when he returned to Spain.
If it were not for Tlaxcalans, the conquistador of Mexico might have not have been named
Cortes. Tlaxcalans allied with Cortes against the Aztecs. The Tlaxcalans were the most
important, loyal and faithful allies of the Spanish. I doubt that without their warriors, and
the bearers of logistics, Cortes could have vanquished the Aztecs in 1521.
I wanted to observe this land where Cortes fought and won the loyalty of the Tlaxcalans,
and see their history told in the famous mural painted on the Palacio Municipal's walls.
Tlaxcala is the oldest colonial town in Mexico. The government seat was founded in 1524.
It is considered the Cradle of a New Race, the
mestizo
, the union of the Spanish with the
indigenous.
The morning air was refreshing, and Tlaxcala was a short, winding ride from Pachuca. I
arrived a little after 9 a.m. The bus driver let me off on the outskirts and pointed out where
to catch a collective taxi, a
combi
. I scarcely got off the bus and blinked when the
combi
picked me up. Within minutes I was in the center of Tlaxcala at the tourist information
booth.
I stayed at Hotel Posada San Francisco on the main square. It was once a private mansion
in the 19
th
century. The building has been lovingly restored. It's the place to stay, with a
fine restaurant, an inner patio, a bar decorated in grand style, and a beautiful, clean, invit-
ing pool, which were just a few feet from my room.
Tlaxcala remains a colonial jewel in the mountains. A fountain, which was donated by a
Spanish king, is the focal point in its plaza. Unlike many Mexican plazas surrounded by
arched portals, outdoor dining is encouraged. I was pleased to see two coffee shops; I of-
ten wish for a casual place to sit and contemplate when in Mexico and find very few.
I picked up a city map. There were twenty-two sites, museums, churches, and historic
buildings. Most of the interesting places in a colonial town are near the original center, so
tourists with maps in hand, can walk and visit at their own pace. During the day I visited
eighteen of the twenty-two sites.
