Tlaxcala — Xicotencatl's Betrayal Plot

Your first stop is the Plaza de la Constitución, built in the 16th century, it was the heart of colonial Tlaxcala. It is surrounded by historic buildings, including the Palacio de Gobierno, seat of the state government since 1521. It was right here, in 1519, that the Tlaxcalan chiefs ratified the alliance with Cortés, a pact that would lead to the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521. As Xicotencatl II, you observe this site of public gatherings, the starting point of the Ruta de la Conquista, and remember the tensions preceding this controversial alliance that divided your people, a betrayal of the pre-Hispanic heritage.

Continue to the Palacio de Gobierno de Tlaxcala, built between 1521 and 1522, it was the first governmental palace in New Spain. Its walls are adorned with frescoes painted in 1945, illustrating Tlaxcala's history, including the alliance with Cortés and your own internal opposition. It was within these walls that crucial decisions were made, sealing the fate of the Tlaxcalans. Nearby, the Parroquia de San José, a Franciscan church erected between 1540 and 1560, was one of Tlaxcala's oldest. Its baroque facade and 30-meter bell tower dominate the Plaza de la Constitución, bearing witness to post-conquest tensions between Tlaxcalan factions. Your route leads you to the heart of Mexico's Cultural Heritage.

The Ex Convento Franciscano de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, founded in 1522, is the first convent in Mexico dedicated to evangelizing allied Tlaxcalans. Its church, opened in 1540, with a 40x40m cloister, houses 16th-century wall frescoes. It was here, after the Noche Triste in 1520, that Cortés strengthened his alliance with the Tlaxcalan chiefs against you, Xicotencatl. This historic site is a pillar of the thematic circuit in central Tlaxcala. Further on, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Ocotlán, built between 1690 and 1767 in Churrigueresque style, is a masterpiece declared a basilica in 1904, 1km from the center. Its 20m high golden altarpiece, an indigenous work, and the miraculous appearance of the Virgin in 1541, are linked to the consolidation of the post-conquest alliance, a symbol of the new era.

Your exploration leads you to the Zona Arqueológica de Ocotelulco, a pre-Hispanic Tlaxcalan site dating from 650 to 900 AD, 2km from central Tlaxcala. With its 11 pyramidal platforms, it was the ceremonial center of the province of Ocotelolco, a dominant faction during your execution in 1521. The remains excavated between 1980 and 1990, covering 10 hectares, reveal the internal Tlaxcalan rivalries that led to your demise. This site is an essential part of Tlaxcala's history, a testament to the conflicts that tore your people apart. The interactive visit to this place offers a unique perspective on this crucial period.

The Teatro Xicohténcatl, built in 1754 as a granary and converted into a theater in 1950, with an 800-seat capacity, is a cultural center located near the Palacio de Gobierno. It bears your name, Xicotencatl II, and is a symbol of Tlaxcalan resistance against Cortés. Finally, the Monumento a Xicohténcatl, an 8m bronze statue erected in 1899 in the city center, pays tribute to you, who were executed for treason in 1521 by Cortés. After Mexican independence in 1821, you were rehabilitated and transformed into a national anti-Spanish hero. This thematic circuit in Tlaxcala allows you to understand the nuances of history and the weight of decisions made, offering a deep discovery of the central monuments and the region's heritage.