Ever wonder about Mexico City’s oldest cemetery? The Panteon del Tepeyac is not just any ordinary burial ground. It is a place of history and mystery. It is a museum that whispers tales of the past. Prepare yourself to discover the secrets held within its walls.
The Panteon del Tepeyac stands within the Basilica de Guadalupe. Its access is restricted. Only family members of those buried here may enter freely. Others need an appointment for a guided museum tour. This exclusivity adds to its allure.
Records show burials dating back to the 17th century. This makes the Panteon del Tepeyac the city’s oldest cemetery. It houses the remains of notable Mexicans and foreigners. These figures have shaped the nation’s story.
Even before the Spanish arrived, this site was sacred. Aztecs worshiped Tonanzin here. She was the goddess of fertility and rebirth. Her temple stood where the Basilica de Guadalupe stands today. Legend says that when the indigenous man Juan Diego died, he requested burial in what is now the Panteon del Tepeyac.
The Panteon del Tepeyac dates back to the colonial era. It remains active today. You will find it on the western side of Cerro del Tepeyac. It stretches to the back of the hill near the Capilla del Cerrito. The cemetery was built to complement the Capilla del Cerrito in 1740. But its current entrance dates to 1865.
Among those interred here are former presidents of Mexico. Antonio López de Santa Anna rests here. He served as president eleven times. José Mariano Salas Barbosa also lies in this hallowed ground. He was president twice on a provisional basis. Félix María Zuloaga Trillo is another president interred here.
Many politicians and military figures also found their final resting place here. Mariano Moctezuma Barragán served as Secretary of Communications and Public Works. Juan Barragán Rodríguez was the head of security for Venustiano Carranza. Juan Andreu Almazán was a presidential candidate in 1940.
The Panteon del Tepeyac is also the final home to writers, poets, historians, and journalists. Xavier Villaurrutia rests here. His writings often touched on themes of death. Manuel Orozco y Berra was a historian and member of the Academia Mexicana de la Lengua. Alfredo Chavero was a poet, historian, and archaeologist.
Other notable people include Rafael Dondé Preciat. He was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. Ángel de Iturbide y Huarte. He was a Mexican prince during the First Mexican Empire. Juan María García Quintana y Ronda owned the land where the Panteon del Tepeyac now stands.
Many notable women are also buried in the Panteon del Tepeyac. Josefa “Pepa” de Iturbide y Huarte was a Mexican princess during the First Mexican Empire. Delfina Ortega Díaz was the first wife of Porfirio Díaz. Dolores Tosta de Santa Anna was the second wife of Antonio López de Santa Anna.
Walking through the Panteon del Tepeyac is a journey through Mexican history. Each tomb tells a story of a life lived. A contribution made. A legacy left behind. It’s a place where the past feels very much alive.
As we conclude our visit to the Panteon del Tepeyac, remember that this is more than a cemetery. It is a testament to Mexico’s rich and complex history. It is a place where the echoes of the past resonate. They remind us of the individuals who shaped the nation.