MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF THE CITY

• Former Franciscan Convent
• Legislative Palace
• Cultural Center
• Government Palace
• Regional Museum
• The Museum of Memories
• Handicrafts’ Center and Ocotlán Sanctuary
  

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA

• Cacaxtla and Xochitécatl Archaeological Sites
  
• Tenexac and ‘San Francisco Soltepec’ Hacienda
• City of Puebla
  
• Ocoteluco

EXPLAINED TOURIST ZONES

Pre-Hispanic Tlaxcala
There are several places where the Pre-Hispanic influences can be appreciated, these include: Cacaxtla, Ocoteluco, San Esteban Tizatlán, Calpulalpan, Tecoaque.

Places To Visit
There are many beautiful places to visit with Colonial characteristics such as: The Constitution Square, The San José (Saint Joseph) Parish Church, The Indians’ Royal Chapel, The Hidalgo Arcade, the old Franciscan Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the Regional Museum of Tlaxcala, and the Interactive Museum of Memories, the Folk Museum, the Xicohtencatl Theatre, the Parish Church of San Nicolas de Bari (Saint Nicolas of Bari) , The Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana (Our Lady of Saint Anne), Saint Ines Zacatelco, Saint Mary Nativitas, San Miguel del Milagro (Saint Michael of the Miracle), the Parish Church of San Pablo (Saint Paul), The Saint Bernadine of Siena Parish Church, the Parish Church of the Santa Cruz (Saint Cross), The Textile Museum, Yauhquemecan, Calpulalpan, The National Puppet Museum, The Bullfighting Museum, San Juan (Saint John) Ixtenco.

On the Route of the Haciendas
One can admire such beautiful sights as: Saint Bartolomé of the Mount, Ixtafiayuca, Saint Blas, Coaxomulco, Saint Nicolas The Great and Mazapa, some of these have been cinematic stages of great relevance. In this area you will find the Españita municipality where the traditional maize handicraft called totomoxtle is made.

Mountaineering and Climbing
The “National Park La Malintzi” is found on the slopes of the sacred mountain of the old Tlaxcaltecs, The Matlalcueyeti Volcano dedicated to the Water Goddess. On this holy mountain, today known as ‘La Malintzi’, you will find spectacular ravines, such as the Saint John Ravine, considered one of the most beautiful in Mexico, plus hundreds of acres of woods, gorges, and unforgettable landscapes. During the winter, the temperature is very low, it can even snow, which gives the place a special attraction. Within the National Park of “La Malintzi” a vacation Center, there are bungalows to rent with all the services as well as camp sites, tents for rent, restaurant, mini store, and a handicraft shop. It has surveillance 24 hours a day.

Religious Festivals
Among the main places where religious festivals take place, we have the town of Santa Ana (Saint Anne) Chiautempan, Apizaco, Cuaiaxtla, Huamantla, Ixtacuixtla, as well as Nativitas, Santa Cruz Tlaxcala, San Pedro del Monte, Tetlatlahuca, Tlaxco, Tzompartepec, Zacatelco and Hualcatzingo, Yauhquemecan, which celebrate, year after year, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ.

The Descent of the Ocotlan Virgin is one of the most important events in the State, offering a wide range of artistic and religious activities, exhibitions and handicrafts among others. The great celebration of the Ocotlan Virgin takes places on the 3rd monday of May, with the parade of the Descent of the Virgin to the City of Tlaxcala. The streets are decorated with flowers, cut-out-papers, garlands and long carpets of flowers and colored sawdust.

The March of the 400 Tlaxcaltec families.
Very near the city of Tlaxcala, in the small valley of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snow), in San Juan (Saint John) Totolac, using as stage the ruins of the ex-convent, there is an annual march to conmemorate when 400 Tlaxcaltec families that left to colonize and pacify the north of what used to be the New Spain, on 6th of July 1591.

The Floral Carpets of Huamantla have their origins in a Pre-Hispanic Feast in honor to the Goddess of Fertility, Xochiquetzalli. Centuries later, The Huamantlecs continue decorating their streets and temples with flowers, nowadays, to celebrate their Patron Saint, the Virgen de la Caridad (Virgin of Charity). For fifteen days (from the 1st to the 15th of August) in the entrance of the Basilica, they make flower-carpets that frame some religious scenes “painted “ with colored sands.

The “Huamantlada”
Is an event where the Youth challenge Death. The Saturday following the 15th of August, just for the pleasure of sensing danger or to prove their bullfighting skills, between 15 to 20 fighting bulls and hundreds of young Tlaxcaltecas and youngsters from all the country, with dreams of being bullfighters, meet in the streets of Huamantla. Just before noon of that day, the bulls are released, and youth some of them with the cape under their arms, wait impatiently for the great moment to come.

The Day of the Dead.
Year after year, from October the 28th to November the 2nd , it is believed that the loved ones who have passed away come to visit their families and friends. For this reason, altars are prepared in the houses, with photos and favorite objects of the deceased, they are decorated with flowers, colored papers and candles samples of their favorite meals and drinks are placed there and a path of flowers and candles is made to guide them to their offerings.

Other Fairs
The Fairs of Apizaco in May, Calpulalpan in June, Huamantla and Tlaxco in August are the most important. They include religious, artistic and cultural activities, bullfighting events and many shows.