San Juanico Nextipac

What secrets lie buried beneath the ashes of San Juanico Nextipac? This unassuming neighborhood in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, whispers tales of ancient origins. San Juanico Nextipac is more than just another colonia. It’s one of Mexico City’s 141 pueblos originarios, a living testament to its pre-Hispanic roots. Stand here with me, and imagine the shores of Lake Texcoco lapping against the island community that once thrived here. The Mexica people, expelled from Culhuacán, found refuge on this island in 1305, according to the Aubin Codex. They remained here for three years, a pivotal moment in their history, for it was on this very island they received the prophecy of their future settlement, the mighty Tenochtitlán. The name itself, San Juanico Nextipac, speaks of this fiery past. “Nextli” means ash, and “icpac” signifies “on top” or “above”. “Over the ashes,” a poignant reminder of the Culhuas burning their former settlement in Mexicaltzingo. The island, built upon chinampas, or floating gardens, likely grew and shifted over time, its shores expanding with the ingenuity of its inhabitants. Centuries later, between 1880 and 1897, a new church arose, replacing an 18th-century chapel. The bells, cast in 1689, 1700, and 1750, still ring out across the neighborhood. A baptismal font and a sculpture of San Matías, both from the 16th century, serve as tangible links to the past. While the original patron saint was likely San Juan Evangelista, the community embraced San Juan Bautista when his statue arrived from Spain. Today, the Plaza Cívica, part of the original church atrium, bustles with life, the heart of San Juanico Nextipac. The vibrant energy of the nearby market and the steady rhythm of Metro Aculco nearby intermingle with the whispers of ancient history, creating a tapestry of old and new. San Juanico Nextipac stands as a testament to resilience, a place where the ashes of the past have given rise to a vibrant present.