Deep in the heart of Azcapotzalco lies Santa Apolonia Tezcolco a neighborhood steeped in history. Its name itself whispers secrets. Tezcolco or Tezcalco meaning in the twisted or house of mirrors. This refers to the powerful deity Tezcatlipoca. He is the god of obsidian mirrors night sky and much more.
Santa Apolonia Tezcolco was once sacred to the Tepanec people. These were the chief rivals of the Mexica of Tenochtitlan. They guarded the royal treasury of Tezozomoc Azcapotzalco’s most famous ruler. Imagine the riches stored here. Gold jewels artifacts untold treasures of a powerful empire.
The heart of Santa Apolonia Tezcolco is its 17th-century chapel. It stands as a testament to time. The chapel’s simple nave is covered by a barrel vault. It houses a remarkable painting of Saint Apollonia. This painting predates the church itself. It was likely placed in an earlier hermitage. Saint Apollonia a virgin martyr is the patron saint of dentistry. Legend says her death involved the violent removal of her teeth.
Archaeological digs reveal ancient occupation. The Tepanec people had an engineered water supply. They lived and thrived in this area long before the Spanish arrived. Think of the daily lives of these people. Their homes their rituals their connection to this land.
Today Santa Apolonia Tezcolco’s chapel shares space with a 20th-century church. The giant atrium is a peaceful space. It connects the past with the present. A short walk from Metro Camarones. You can easily reach this ancient neighborhood from Azcapotzalco’s historic center.
Santa Apolonia Tezcolco. A place where history whispers from the stones. A place where the echoes of ancient empires still linger in the air. A place where you can touch the past. Let the stories of this neighborhood transport you. Let its ancient energy fill your soul.