“Tlacoyos!” A cry from a vendor echoes in the square. But our focus is on the Torre vigilancia – Tlalayotes. It’s not just any tower; it’s an observation tower. What purpose could such a tower serve in this vibrant part of Mexico City?
The story of Tlatelolco is complex. It is as fascinating as that of Tenochtitlan and Mexico City. Tlatelolco’s history began in 1337. A group of dissident Mexica people broke away from Tenochtitlan. They wanted to continue running their market. It was the liveliest and biggest in Central Mexico and America.
The name Tlatelolco refers to the northern shore of the island. It means “a sandy point” or a small hill of sand. The Tlatelolca people sometimes allied with Tenochtitlan. However, they remained independent until 1473. Then, Tenochtitlan subdued its northern neighbors.
Bernal Díaz del Castillo said the Spanish were astonished by the market. He noted the number of people and the quantity of merchandise. He also admired the good order and control. Tlatelolco was almost entirely destroyed after the fall of Tenochtitlan.
In 1533, the Colegio de la Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco opened. It was the first institution of higher learning in the Americas. It became a center of sciences and arts. Nahua medicine was cultivated there. It was also a school of political sciences.
The indigenous people built the Tecpan on the ruins of the royal palace. Today, it is a museum. The market of Tlatelolco was gradually abandoned. Merchants moved to Tepito and the Merced area. The Tlatelolco area was largely depopulated.
During the USA invasion of 1847, defensive trenches revealed archaeological finds. Most of them were looted. The area became a storage area for shipping companies. By the end of the 19th century, it was a giant railyard.
Only in 1940 did archaeologists take an interest in the area. Work on the Nonoalco-Tlatelolco Urban Complex began in the 1960s. A systematic study of the area was carried out.
The Conjunto Urbano Nonoalco Tlatelolco is the biggest apartment complex in Mexico. It was built with 102 apartment buildings. It had its own schools, hospitals, and shops. It replaced the massive rail yard.
The 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco established a nuclear weapon-free zone. This was throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The massacre in 1968 marked the end of idealism. Political unrest reached a head. Hundreds were gunned down.
On September 19, 1985, the Nuevo León building collapsed. This was due to a strong earthquake. Thirteen buildings were demolished. Today, the complex includes 90 apartment buildings. Tlatelolco remains a strong symbol of solidarity.
Torre vigilancia – Tlalayotes stands as a silent observer. It watches over a neighborhood rich with history. From ancient markets to modern apartments, Tlatelolco is a place of constant change. The tower is a reminder of the past. It is also a symbol of the present.