“White shield.” Can you imagine that this is what Chimalistac means in Nahuatl? We are standing before the Antigui Puente a, a testament to a rich history. These bridges are not just stone and mortar. They are a legacy of ingenuity.
The Antigui Puente a is part of the Puentes de Chimalistac. They are a series of very old bridges from the colonial period. Picture this: the 16th century. The Carmelites, who lived in a gigantic monastery, built these bridges. Today, that monastery is the Museo de el Carmen.
For two centuries, the Chimalistac neighborhood served as orchard land for the monks. The Antigui Puente a played a vital role. They channeled the Magdalena River to irrigate their orchards and gardens. This ingenious hydraulic system started at Casa Jaime Sabines, now a cultural center.
The Antigui Puente a and the other bridges sit on Paseo del Río street. Back then, the street ran along both sides of the Magdalena River. Now, it is a footpath.
Let us delve deeper into the area’s past. Before the Spanish arrived, a pre-Hispanic village called Temalistac stood here. It paid tribute to the Tepanecs of Azcapotzalco. But in 1430, Temalistac joined the Triple Alliance to overthrow them.
After 1521, Hernán Cortés’s soldiers settled here. Juan de Guzmán Ixtolinque received this territory. Later, his grandson Felipe de Guzmán Ixtolinque donated the land to the Carmelites. In 1615, they began constructing their complex including the Antigui Puente a. The construction lasted throughout the 17th century. However, after the Reforma laws of 1857, the Carmelites abandoned the property.
The Antigui Puente a stands as a reminder of the past. It connects us to the Carmelites. It connects us to the indigenous people. It connects us to the flow of history. Take a moment to appreciate the stones beneath your feet. They echo with the stories of centuries past. The Antigui Puente a is a place of white shields and flowing water.