Tlalmanalco
Encyclopedia
Tlalmanalco is a town and municipality located in the far south-eastern part of the State of Mexico. The name is from the Nahuatl
language, meaning “flat area.” The municipality’s seal shows flat land, with a pyramid on it, representing its pre-Hispanic history, surrounded by small mountains, which is how the area was represented in Aztec
codices. The municipality is bordered by the municipalities of Chalco, Ixtapaluca, Cocotitlan
, Temamatla
, Tenango del Aire
, Ayapango
and Amecameca
. It also shares a border with the neighboring state of Puebla
. Much of the municipality borders the Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park
. For this reason, Iztaccihuatl
volcano dominates the landscape. The town has been designated as a “Pueblo con Encanto” (Town with Charm) by the government of the State of Mexico.
s and the Chichimeca
s. A subgroup of these two tribes, called the Nonohualcas, arrived to the area in the 13th century and formed a city-state in what is now Tlalmanalco in 1336. This city-state formed an alliance with ethnically-related populations such as those in Amaquemecan, Chimalhuacan and Tenango Tepopollan
. This area was one of the last to be conquered by the Aztecs, but after 100 years of fighting, the alliance succumbed in 1465.
The founding of the Spanish town occurred in 1525 by Friar Juan de Rivas, the same year that evangelization of the native population was begun by Friar Martin de Valencia. The Annals of Chimalpain indicate that the indigenous shrine here was destroyed in 1525, and a church and open-air chapel were consecrated in 1532 even though the chapel was never completed. Tlalmanalco suffered the forced indentured servitude of the native population from 1550 to 1633, when this practice was abolished.
Attempts to industrialize the rural, farming economy began in 1858, when a copper smelting
operation and various textile mills were introduced, as well as a railroad line. One of the more important factories by the turn of the century was the San Rafael y Anexas, S.A. paper mill, located in the nearby village of San Rafael. This mill elevated the area economically, and was considered one of the most important industries in Mexico from 1930 to 1970.
The Temple of San Luis Obispo, with the adjoining Capilla Abierta
(Open Chapel) were built in the 16th century by the Franciscans as part of the Monastery of San Luis. The first church was built by Friar Juan de Rivas which opened in 1532. The larger complex was constructed between 1585 and 1591. The church is relatively simply decorated with only roses on the jamb of the main doors. In the central nave, there is a large relief of Saint Francis
with the stigmata
. The church has only one nave
with a polygonal space for the main altar. This is covered by a barrel vault
with false ribs painted on the ceiling. The interior has a lavish Mexican Baroque
altarpiece
done in cedar
representing the Visit of the Virgin. The paintings on this altar were done by Baltasar de Echave The cloister has frescos with scenes of flora and fauna and human figures, as well as portraits of Martin de Valencia and Saint Clare. Friar Martin de Valencia died in Ayotzingo and is interred in the Tlalmanalco church.
Tlalmanalco was one of the first sites to have a “open chapel,” and is one of the very few places where one can be found intact today. In the open chapel was where mass was offered to natives who would not enter the dark confines of the typical church. The Capilla Abierta is done in Mexican Baroque style and is considered an interesting example of “tequitqui” art. The word “tequitqui” is from Nahuatl, meaning “vassal.” This expression was used to refer to artistic works, especially sculpture, that had Christian themes but was done by indigenous craftsmen. The Capilla Abierta has a trapezoidal layout, left incomplete. Five arches with capitals finished with reliefs and a frieze
that follows the outline of the arches filled with human figures. These arches were reserved for persons of high social rank. The arch behind these was most likely reserved for the altar. The interior is “proto- renaissance” and decorated with Italian-style motifs and figures that seem to represent indigenous bestiary
. Images includes telamons
, male goats (to represent lust) and a portrait of Friar Martin de Valencia, and Saint Claire
. The mix of Christian and indigenous motifs has been studied by Gustavo Curiel and others. According to Curiel, the images seem to represent the clash between idolatry
, associated with the devil
and Christianity in competition for the soul.
Nonohualca Museum exhibits archeological pieces from the area around Tlalmanalco. Much of the work is stone sculpture, the best known of which is the Effigy of Xochipilli
. This statue was found on the side of the volcano Popocatépetl
near Tlalmanalco. however, this piece is in the Museum of Anthropology
in Mexico City
.
, tlacoyo
s with fava beans, pinto beans and requeson, cecina
, green mole
with chicken or pork, and pork in chile mulato but a very local specialty is tamales with capulin
s (a type of cherry) and corn.
In October 2008, the town held its first International Festival of Antique Music, inviting vocalist Rita Guerrero, flutist Horacio Franco
, the Alharaca Ensamble among others. The festival was a series of twelve concerts held in the most historically important sites of the town such as the Temple of San Luis Obispo the Old Belthemite Hospital and the main plaza.
The major annual celebrations revolve around the town’s patron saints, especially Saint Louis, the Bishop and the Archangel Raphael. The feast of Saint Louis, the Bishop is on 20 August and the feast of the Archangel Raphael is 29 September. They are celebrated with processions, fireworks and local dances including “Los Doce Pares de Francia”, “Marotas” and “Chinelos.”
Uncultivated areas are mostly pine forest, which cover about 65% of the municipality. Only 17.9% of the land is used for agriculture, mostly growing corn during the rainy season. The area also has some livestock raising. About 40% of the municipality’s population is employed in industries such as paper and textile mills as well as small workshops. There is logging for wood as well, but this is heavily managed. Tlalmanalco has been designated as a “sustainability center” by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Mexico
in cooperation with the state government and UAM. This is in response to the deterioration of the environment in this area, as well as population growth, leading to demand for more public services.
The major river here is called La Compañía, which has nine arroyos, one lake and seven aqueducts associated with it in the municipality. Much of the water flowing from this system comes from the Ayolotepito glacier. However, potable water availability is an issue here. In January 2008, 400 ranchers in the upper mountains of the municipality, who lack access to potable water themselves, protested and shut down a project to transport water to the lowlands and especially to the municipal seat. The protesters are demanding access to the water to be carried by the new line.
The most important community in the municipality outside of the seat is San Rafael, located about 15 km west of the town of Tlalmanalco at the foot of the Iztaccihuatl volcano The town essentially was created due to the placement of the San Rafael paper mill, which reached its height of production between 1930 and 1970. Its old cinema and casino are still standing but empty, and there are a number of older houses that show the French influence that was popular in Mexico between the 19th and 20th centuries. The town is nearly surrounded by pine forest and there are many unpaved roads leading into it, most of which were cut by the paper mill
The municipality has a number of elevations, including Teyotl, a 4700 meters and Tlatlachelo at 3175 meters. The latter has some Toltec
-era shrines at its peak
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
language, meaning “flat area.” The municipality’s seal shows flat land, with a pyramid on it, representing its pre-Hispanic history, surrounded by small mountains, which is how the area was represented in Aztec
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
codices. The municipality is bordered by the municipalities of Chalco, Ixtapaluca, Cocotitlan
Cocotitlán
Cocotitlán is a town and municipality, in Mexico State in Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 10.45 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 12,120....
, Temamatla
Temamatla
Temamatla is a town and municipality in Mexico State in Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 28.42 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 10,135....
, Tenango del Aire
Tenango del Aire
Tenango del Aire is a town and municipality located in the southeast portion of the State of Mexico and is about 42 km southeast of Mexico City. The municipality is bordered by Temamatla, Tlalmanalco, Juchitepec, and Ayapango, Despite the fact that this municipality is distinctly rural, it...
, Ayapango
Ayapango
Ayapango is a small town and municipality located in the southeast portion of the State of Mexico, southeast of Mexico City. Despite the fact that this municipality is distinctly rural, it falls within the Mexico City Metropolitan Area...
and Amecameca
Amecameca
Amecameca is a town and municipality located in the eastern panhandle of Mexico State between Mexico City and the Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanos of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is located on federal highway 115 which leads to Cuautla, which is called the Volcano Route...
. It also shares a border with the neighboring state of Puebla
Puebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
. Much of the municipality borders the Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park
Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park
Izta-Popo, Zoquiapan and Anexas National Park is a national park on the border of the Mexican states of México, Puebla, and Morelos.It covers Mexico's second and third-highest peaks, the Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl volcanoes, as well as the areas of the Hacienda de Zoquiapán and its annexed...
. For this reason, Iztaccihuatl
Iztaccíhuatl
Iztaccíhuatl , is the third highest mountain in Mexico, after the Pico de Orizaba, , and Popocatépetl, . Its name is Nahuatl for "White woman"....
volcano dominates the landscape. The town has been designated as a “Pueblo con Encanto” (Town with Charm) by the government of the State of Mexico.
History
According to archeological findings, there was a village stronghold in the area from about 3,100 to 600 B.C. The archeological zone is located just to the northwest of the main plaza of the town. Groups such as the Xochteca, Cocolca, Olmec-Xicallanca and Quiyahuizteca populated the area between the 10th and 13th centuries. However, these groups were later driven from here by the ToltecToltec
The Toltec culture is an archaeological Mesoamerican culture that dominated a state centered in Tula, Hidalgo in the early post-classic period of Mesoamerican chronology...
s and the Chichimeca
Chichimeca
Chichimeca was the name that the Nahua peoples of Mexico generically applied to a wide range of semi-nomadic peoples who inhabited the north of modern-day Mexico and southwestern United States, and carried the same sense as the European term "barbarian"...
s. A subgroup of these two tribes, called the Nonohualcas, arrived to the area in the 13th century and formed a city-state in what is now Tlalmanalco in 1336. This city-state formed an alliance with ethnically-related populations such as those in Amaquemecan, Chimalhuacan and Tenango Tepopollan
Tenango del Aire
Tenango del Aire is a town and municipality located in the southeast portion of the State of Mexico and is about 42 km southeast of Mexico City. The municipality is bordered by Temamatla, Tlalmanalco, Juchitepec, and Ayapango, Despite the fact that this municipality is distinctly rural, it...
. This area was one of the last to be conquered by the Aztecs, but after 100 years of fighting, the alliance succumbed in 1465.
The founding of the Spanish town occurred in 1525 by Friar Juan de Rivas, the same year that evangelization of the native population was begun by Friar Martin de Valencia. The Annals of Chimalpain indicate that the indigenous shrine here was destroyed in 1525, and a church and open-air chapel were consecrated in 1532 even though the chapel was never completed. Tlalmanalco suffered the forced indentured servitude of the native population from 1550 to 1633, when this practice was abolished.
Attempts to industrialize the rural, farming economy began in 1858, when a copper smelting
Smelting
Smelting is a form of extractive metallurgy; its main use is to produce a metal from its ore. This includes iron extraction from iron ore, and copper extraction and other base metals from their ores...
operation and various textile mills were introduced, as well as a railroad line. One of the more important factories by the turn of the century was the San Rafael y Anexas, S.A. paper mill, located in the nearby village of San Rafael. This mill elevated the area economically, and was considered one of the most important industries in Mexico from 1930 to 1970.
Notable sites
Capilla abierta
A capilla abierta or “open chapel” is considered to be one of the most distinct Mexican construction forms. Mostly built in the 16th century during the early colonial period, the construction was basically an apse or open presbytery, containing an altar, which opened onto a large atrium or plaza...
(Open Chapel) were built in the 16th century by the Franciscans as part of the Monastery of San Luis. The first church was built by Friar Juan de Rivas which opened in 1532. The larger complex was constructed between 1585 and 1591. The church is relatively simply decorated with only roses on the jamb of the main doors. In the central nave, there is a large relief of Saint Francis
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
with the stigmata
Stigmata
Stigmata are bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus, such as the hands and feet...
. The church has only one nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
with a polygonal space for the main altar. This is covered by a barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
with false ribs painted on the ceiling. The interior has a lavish Mexican Baroque
Churrigueresque
Churrigueresque refers to a Spanish Baroque style of elaborate sculptural architectural ornament which emerged as a manner of stucco decoration in Spain in the late 17th century and was used up to about 1750, marked by extreme, expressive and florid decorative detailing, normally found above the...
altarpiece
Altarpiece
An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. The altarpiece is often made up of two or more separate panels created using a technique known as panel painting. It is then called a diptych, triptych or polyptych for two,...
done in cedar
Cedar wood
Cedar wood comes from several different trees that grow in different parts of the world, and may have different uses.* California incense-cedar, from Calocedrus decurrens, is the primary type of wood used for making pencils...
representing the Visit of the Virgin. The paintings on this altar were done by Baltasar de Echave The cloister has frescos with scenes of flora and fauna and human figures, as well as portraits of Martin de Valencia and Saint Clare. Friar Martin de Valencia died in Ayotzingo and is interred in the Tlalmanalco church.
Frieze
thumb|267px|Frieze of the [[Tower of the Winds]], AthensIn architecture the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Even when neither columns nor pilasters are expressed, on an astylar wall it lies upon...
that follows the outline of the arches filled with human figures. These arches were reserved for persons of high social rank. The arch behind these was most likely reserved for the altar. The interior is “proto- renaissance” and decorated with Italian-style motifs and figures that seem to represent indigenous bestiary
Bestiary
A bestiary, or Bestiarum vocabulum is a compendium of beasts. Bestiaries were made popular in the Middle Ages in illustrated volumes that described various animals, birds and even rocks. The natural history and illustration of each beast was usually accompanied by a moral lesson...
. Images includes telamons
Atlas (architecture)
In the classical European architectural tradition an atlas is a support sculpted in the form of a man, which may take the place of a column, a pier or a pilaster...
, male goats (to represent lust) and a portrait of Friar Martin de Valencia, and Saint Claire
Clare of Assisi
Clare of Assisi , born Chiara Offreduccio, is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi...
. The mix of Christian and indigenous motifs has been studied by Gustavo Curiel and others. According to Curiel, the images seem to represent the clash between idolatry
Idolatry
Idolatry is a pejorative term for the worship of an idol, a physical object such as a cult image, as a god, or practices believed to verge on worship, such as giving undue honour and regard to created forms other than God. In all the Abrahamic religions idolatry is strongly forbidden, although...
, associated with the devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
and Christianity in competition for the soul.
Nonohualca Museum exhibits archeological pieces from the area around Tlalmanalco. Much of the work is stone sculpture, the best known of which is the Effigy of Xochipilli
Xochipilli
thumb|300px|right| Image of Xochipilli.Xochipilli was the god of art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, and song in Aztec mythology. His name contains the Nahuatl words xochitl and pilli , and hence means "flower prince"...
. This statue was found on the side of the volcano Popocatépetl
Popocatépetl
Popocatépetl also known as "Popochowa" by the local population is an active volcano and, at , the second highest peak in Mexico after the Pico de Orizaba...
near Tlalmanalco. however, this piece is in the Museum of Anthropology
Museo Nacional de Antropología
The Museo Nacional de Antropología is a national museum of Mexico. Located in the area between Paseo de la Reforma and Calle Mahatma Gandhi within Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, the museum contains significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from the pre-Columbian heritage of...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
.
Food and festivals
Dishes of the area include mixioteMixiote
A mixiote is a traditional pit-barbecued meat dish in central Mexico; especially in the Basin of Mexico. It can also be prepared in an oven. It is usually made with mutton or rabbit, but chicken is also used. The meat is cubed with the bone and seasoned with pasilla and guajillo chili peppers,...
, tlacoyo
Tlacoyo
Tlacoyos are oval shaped fried or toasted cakes made of masa. They are similar to fresh corn tortillas, but are somewhat torpedo-shaped and fatter. Tlacoyos are stuffed with refried beans, cheese, fava beans, chicharron or other ingredients. Tlacoyos are often served as an accompaniment to soups...
s with fava beans, pinto beans and requeson, cecina
Cecina
Cecina may refer to:*Cecina, Tuscany, a town in the Italian Province of Livorno*Cecina , a river in Italy*Cecina , a Spanish and Mexican culinary specialty made of beef*Farinata, a Tuscan culinary specialty made of chickpea flour...
, green mole
Mole (sauce)
Mole is the generic name for a number of sauces used in Mexican cuisine, as well as for dishes based on these sauces...
with chicken or pork, and pork in chile mulato but a very local specialty is tamales with capulin
Capulin
Prunus salicifolia , known as Capulin, is a species of cherry. It is similar to the Jamaica cherry. The capulin is often called the capuli, capoli, capulin, or capolin in both Mexico and Colombia...
s (a type of cherry) and corn.
In October 2008, the town held its first International Festival of Antique Music, inviting vocalist Rita Guerrero, flutist Horacio Franco
Horacio Franco
-Biography:He studied in the National Conservatory in Mexico City and later in the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. Franco has repertoire for recorder from the traditional forms of medieval, Renaissance music and baroque - including Latin American colonial music - to contemporary, folkloric...
, the Alharaca Ensamble among others. The festival was a series of twelve concerts held in the most historically important sites of the town such as the Temple of San Luis Obispo the Old Belthemite Hospital and the main plaza.
The major annual celebrations revolve around the town’s patron saints, especially Saint Louis, the Bishop and the Archangel Raphael. The feast of Saint Louis, the Bishop is on 20 August and the feast of the Archangel Raphael is 29 September. They are celebrated with processions, fireworks and local dances including “Los Doce Pares de Francia”, “Marotas” and “Chinelos.”
The municipality
As municipal seat, the town of Tlalmanalco has governing jurisdiction for the following communities: San Antonio Tlaltecahuacán, San Lorenzo Tlalmimilolpan, San Rafael, Santo Tomás Atzingo, Ranchería San José Zavaleta, La Ladrillera, Rancho Santa Cruz, Rancho Cuautenampa (La Quebradora), La Escondida, Rancho la Mesa, Santa María, Restaurante el Arenal (Familia Carbajal), El Brasero, Gavillero (Rancho el Gavillero), Lomas del Pedregal, Santiago (Kilómetro Cincuenta y Ocho y Medio), Fraccionamiento Valle Plateado, Villa Rincón de las Montañas, La Presa, Ejido San Lorenzo (La Cañada), Rancho de la Huerta, El Durazno, Rancho Santa Rita, Terreno San Luis (La Nopalera), Rancho la Joya (La Rosa), Vista Hermosa, Fraccionamiento Vergel de la Sierra, El Trapiche (Xacalco), Rancho Alfa y Omega, Colonia Ejidal (San Juan Atzacoaloya), El Faro, El Capulín, Tiro de las Palomas, Colonia el Magueyal Dos, Rancho Carvajal, Rancho San Luis, Rancho Fernando de la Machorra, Rancho la Encumbre, Colonia la Esperanza, Tepopotal and Fraccionamiento las Palomas. Together, the municipality has a total area of 158.76 km2 and a population of 43,930.Uncultivated areas are mostly pine forest, which cover about 65% of the municipality. Only 17.9% of the land is used for agriculture, mostly growing corn during the rainy season. The area also has some livestock raising. About 40% of the municipality’s population is employed in industries such as paper and textile mills as well as small workshops. There is logging for wood as well, but this is heavily managed. Tlalmanalco has been designated as a “sustainability center” by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in cooperation with the state government and UAM. This is in response to the deterioration of the environment in this area, as well as population growth, leading to demand for more public services.
The major river here is called La Compañía, which has nine arroyos, one lake and seven aqueducts associated with it in the municipality. Much of the water flowing from this system comes from the Ayolotepito glacier. However, potable water availability is an issue here. In January 2008, 400 ranchers in the upper mountains of the municipality, who lack access to potable water themselves, protested and shut down a project to transport water to the lowlands and especially to the municipal seat. The protesters are demanding access to the water to be carried by the new line.
The municipality has a number of elevations, including Teyotl, a 4700 meters and Tlatlachelo at 3175 meters. The latter has some Toltec
Toltec
The Toltec culture is an archaeological Mesoamerican culture that dominated a state centered in Tula, Hidalgo in the early post-classic period of Mesoamerican chronology...
-era shrines at its peak