Mexico/Tlaxcala: Tlaxcala City
Tlaxcala, officially Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, is the capital of the landlocked Mexican state with the same name in the country’s heartland. The city was founded and laid out by the Spanish in 1525 during their conquest of the Aztec Empire. The core of the city is packed with colonial buildings and architecture, all centered around the Plaza de Constitucion with the centerpiece of Palacio de Gobierno. Also here is Xicohtencatl Theatre built in 1873 with stunning and elaborate frescos describing the Aztecs and the history of Spanish arrival and the Battle of Puebla. Also next to the square is the red-colored 18th century baroque Church de San Jose and further out is Convent de San Francisco – an absolutely stunning hilltop church with beautiful and lavish interior. Next to it is the circular bullfighting area Plaza de Toro and view of the entire town from here is panoramic. Tlaxcala is often referred to as “red city” as many buildings are painted in dark or faded red, salmon pink and mustard yellow.
