Once, San Francisco Xocotitla was an island off the coast of Tlatelolco. Today, it stands as one of the original settlements in Azcapotzalco. The Nahuatl name offers a clue to its past. Xocotl refers to a small acidic fruit called jocote. So, Xocotitla means roughly among the jocotes.
San Francisco Xocotitla holds layers of history. The Otomi god Otontecuhtli Xocotl was an aspect of the main god of the Tepeneca people. Ancient Azcapotzalco revered this deity. Some speculate a temple to the god once stood here. He was the patron of gem cutters and goldsmiths. The island became known for salt and tequesquite production. This history illuminates the complexity of ancient Tlatelolco’s people. It was truly a melting pot of cultures.
Look closely at the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís Xocotitla. It preserves a part of its colonial structure. Franciscans from Santiago Tlateloco constructed it between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The atrial wall saw rebuilding in 1931. The chapel sits north of its old colonial town. You can almost see this in the street-less block just south of the church.
Over time, the island merged with the growing Calzada de Tenayuca. The lake around it receded. Today, that causeway is renamed Calzada Vallejo. The island is nearly forgotten. Yet San Francisco Xocotitla remains a vital part of the La Raza area’s broader story.
Imagine the islanders gathering jocotes. Picture the temple adorned with gems. Hear the rhythmic敲打of goldsmiths. Envision the bustling trade of salt. San Francisco Xocotitla whispers tales of gods, artisans, and traders. It is an ancient neighborhood sacred to the Tepanec people. They were chief rivals to the Mexica of Tenochtitlan.
Take a moment to appreciate San Francisco Xocotitla’s quiet strength. It stands as a testament to a rich and diverse past. Its crooked town center is a reminder of Azcapotzalco’s oldest settlements. San Francisco Xocotitla may be small. But its story echoes through Mexico City’s vibrant history. It is a story of adaptation and cultural fusion. It is a story worth remembering.
Consider exploring the area around San Francisco Xocotitla. You might discover more hidden gems. Perhaps you will taste a jocote and imagine its origins. Remember the island among the jocotes. Remember its people and its gods. Let San Francisco Xocotitla’s story inspire you to delve deeper into Mexico City’s past.