Santa Isabel Tola

Founded in 1438, Santa Isabel Tola whispers tales of ancient Mexico. Originally named Tollan, meaning “place of tules,” it honored the giant ahuehuete trees gracing its slopes. Imagine the fourth New Fire Ceremony of the Mexica people, held on the northwest slope of Tecpayocan hill, right here in Santa Isabel Tola. Long before the Spanish arrived, a ruler named Inamextli governed Tollan and nearby Zacatenco, the future site of the National Polytechnic Institute. The Franciscan friars arrived in the 16th century, bringing their faith and building a small church in 1570. The Santa Isabel Tola Codex chronicles the area’s journey from pre-Hispanic times through the early colonial era. Around 300 years after its founding, Tollan was rededicated to Santa Isabela of Portugal. A road connecting Calzada de los Misterios was completed in 1604, bringing pilgrims and nobles to Santa Isabel Tola. The arrival of the Villa de Guadalupe railway station in 1855 further connected this once-distant town to the growing capital. Today, Santa Isabel Tola retains its charm as a historic neighborhood. The Mercado de Santa Isabela Tola offers a vibrant taste of local life, especially if you’re visiting the nearby FARO Indios Verdes. The church, a modest gem built in the Plateresque style of the 1570s, still stands. Inside, you can admire the ornately carved beamed ceiling and sanctuary arch. The sanctuary, raised above the nave, hints at its origins as an open chapel. The baroque tower and glassed-in pavilion are later additions, contrasting with the original Isabelline-style nave window. The main altarpiece, a baroque masterpiece with gilded spiral columns, features a recovered 17th-century painting of Santa Isabela of Portugal. Santa Isabel Tola, a blend of ancient traditions and modern life, invites you to explore its rich history.