Palacio De Gobierno
Institution of the province of Tlaxcala by Charles IV, king of Spain
The former palace of the viceroys, where Cortés stayed when he was in Tlaxcala, now commemorates the history of the region’s people. Covering the interior walls of the 16th-century palace are immense, brilliantly colored examples of Mexican muralism.
The murals by Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin (b.1922), depicting everything from early inhabitants of the Valley of Mexico to the Wars of Independence, accompanied by reproductions of the 16th-century codices that inspired the work. The murals in the Palacio de Gobierno of Ciudad de Tlaxcala entitled “The history of Tlaxcala” were created beginning in 1956 and continued until 2000 by Desiderio Hernandez Xochitiotzin.
At the time of its construction in 1545, the palace was divided into three parts. The west end of the building housed the granary, the center contained the home of the four indigenous lords, and Spanish viceroys had quarters in the west. Don’t miss the representation of Tlaxacala (“corn tortilla” in Náhuatl) at the top of the far right arch.
Palacio De Gobierno
Plaza de la Constitución 3
Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala
Mexico
On the north side of the zócalo. Open daily 9am-6pm. Free.
Guides loiter inside, offering to explain the murals in Spanish or English for a few pesos.
Visit Tlaxcala Palacio de Gobierno – Murals by Xochitiotzin for the larger images of these exceptional murals.
 Ritual festivities for Camaxtli |
 Christian religion and the indians |
 Spanish conquistadors meeting the Indians of Tlaxcala 2Indian temples burning after the Spanish conquest |
 Indian temples burning after the Spanish conquest |
 Encounter of Indian princes in Tlaxcala |
 Spanish conquistadors meeting the Indians of Tlaxcala |
 an indian god leads his people to the promised land of Tlaxcala |
 Indian vendors at the market of Tlaxcala |
 Tlaxcaltecan warriors fighting against warrior from Texcoco, Cuauhtepec and Ocelotepec |
 Tlaxcaltecan victory against the Aztecs |
 Tlaxcaltecan ceremonies in honor of Xochiquetzalli |
 Tlaxcaltecan ceremonies in honor of Xochiquetzalli 2 |
 Mexican emperor Maximilian and empress Charlotte |
 Tlaxcalan warriors confronting Spanish conquistadors |
 Malinche interpretor of Hernan Cortes |
 Indian warriors |
 History of Mexico since its independence |
 History of Mexico since its independence 2 |
 Quetzalcoatl announcing his return for the year one cane |
 Pre-conquest image of Tlaxcala |
 Patron god of Tlaxcala |
 Discussions between Taxcaltecans and Cortes |
 Destruction of the indian gods by the Spanish conquest |
 Discussions between Taxcaltecans and Hernan Cortes 2 |
 Discussions between Cholultecas and Teochichimecas at their arrival in the valley of Tlaxcala |
 Tlaxcala gets a Spanish province ( 1545 ) |
