How many places can claim a name meaning “Place of the Cloud Serpent?” Colonia Mixcoac holds this unique distinction. Today we will explore this magical neighborhood of Mexico City. It’s a place where history whispers from every corner.
Colonia Mixcoac was once a separate town. It existed within the Mexican Federal District. That was until 1928. It then became part of Mexico City. Now, it comprises colonias like Nonoalco and Extremadura Insurgentes. It resides within the borough of Benito Juárez.
The name Mixcoac has deep roots. It comes from the Nahuatl language. “Mixtli” means cloud. “Coatl” means serpent. “Co” means in. Thus, “Place of the Cloud Serpent” emerged. This name alludes to the Milky Way. It also honors the god Mixcóatl.
Before the Spanish conquest, a small settlement existed here. It was on the edge of Lake Texcoco. The lake surrounded Tenochtitlan. That is today’s Mexico City. This settlement thrived from about 900 AD to 1521 AD. You can still see ruins at the Mixcoac archeological site.
After the Conquest, things changed in Colonia Mixcoac. Ranchos and haciendas rose. A textile factory appeared. Today, it’s part of the Universidad Panamericana. In the late 19th century, wealthy Mexico City residents arrived. They built summer homes here. They also settled in Tacubaya and Coyoacán.
In 1910, La Castañeda psychiatric hospital opened. It functioned until 1967. In 1928, the Municipality of Mixcoac was absorbed. It became part of Mexico City. Despite these changes, the historic center of Mixcoac remains largely intact. It is centered around the main square.
Today, several historic buildings and sites still stand. The Glorieta de Goya roundabout features a statue of Álvaro Obregón. The old textile factory now belongs to the Universidad Panamericana. The Centro Cultural Juan Rulfo was once city hall. It was built under President Porfirio Díaz. Today, it is a cultural center. Don’t miss the Casa de la Campana. Also visit Plaza Jauregui, the main square. The house of Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi is another point of interest.
Churches also dot the landscape of Colonia Mixcoac. The Parroquia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán was founded in 1595. It also includes the Capilla de la Virgen del Rayo. The Manacar tower and shopping center stand tall in colonia Insurgentes Mixcoac. It is on Avenida Insurgentes. It is also at the Circuito Interior freeway.
Mixcoac is also home to notable residents. Poets Octavio Paz and Hart Crane once lived here. Chemist Luis E. Miramontes co-invented norethisterone here. This progestin is used in oral contraceptives. Mexican president Valentín Gómez Farías also called Mixcoac home. Authors José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi and Katherine Anne Porter resided here as well.
Step into Colonia Mixcoac’s Parroquia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Admire its interior. Explore the atrium. Visit the Capilla de la Virgen del Rayo. Wander through the Claustro del ex-convento de Santo Domingo.
Colonia Mixcoac offers a journey through time. It blends pre-Hispanic history. It combines colonial charm and modern life. As we conclude our tour, remember the “Place of the Cloud Serpent.” It is a magical neighborhood in Mexico City. Its story lingers long after you leave.