Señorío de Tlaxcala, Pre-Columbian city-state in Tlaxcala Municipality, Mexico
Señorío de Tlaxcala was a confederation of four districts situated on elevated terrain in central Mexico with a developed administrative structure. The four city sections of Tepeticpac, Ocotelulco, Tizatlan, and Quiahuixtlan functioned as semi-independent domains under a shared council.
The territory emerged in 1348 as an independent confederation and maintained its autonomy through military strength and strategic alliances while the Aztecs expanded nearby. This independence lasted until 1520, when outside forces fundamentally altered the local order.
The society operated under a merit-based council system where leaders earned positions through military achievements and contributions to the community.
The landscape consists of forested hillsides with multiple elevated plazas positioned across the terrain. The different districts lie close enough together to visit in a single day, though some paths can be quite steep.
The inhabitants sent military forces that marched as far as Guatemala, demonstrating their strength well beyond their borders. These expeditions took place even after European arrival and aided in reshaping the entire region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
