San Francisco Tlaltenco, Indigenous town in Tláhuac, Mexico.
San Francisco Tlaltenco is an indigenous settlement on the eastern edge of Mexico City, stretching along the southern slopes of the Sierra de Santa Catarina mountain range. The town maintains its traditional layout with narrow streets, local markets, and houses built close together throughout the neighborhoods.
The settlement originated in 1435 as a Nahuatl community but was refounded in 1525 by Spanish missionaries who introduced Catholic institutions. This colonial transformation established the religious and social foundation that continues to shape the community today.
The Church of San Francisco de Asís serves as the spiritual center where residents gather for celebrations and daily worship. It reflects how indigenous traditions and Spanish colonial influence shaped the community's religious identity.
Visitors will find local markets where residents sell fresh produce, traditional foods, and handmade goods daily. The morning hours are best for exploring, as markets are most active and temperatures are comfortable.
The Sociedad Benito Juárez is a parade group founded in 1920 to support soldiers returning from the Mexican Revolution. The group continues to organize traditional processions and celebrations that keep the memory of that era alive in the community.
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