Coyoacán
Experience this incredible Magical Neighborhood, in the south of the city, where churches, age-old mansions, colonial town squares, markets, museums, libraries, and handicrafts await.
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A Little History
It is known that Coyoacán was founded by Colhua people from the city-state of Culhuacán who, in the 6th century (around A.D. 670), received tribute from the people here.
Although it soon regained its independence, it was conquered again by the Tepaneca people from Azcapotzalco. Finally, it ended up being subjugated by the Aztec empire. The lovely landscape found in Coyoacán, whose name means “lugar de quienes tienen coyotes” (place of those who have coyotes), with its plentiful springs, groves of trees, fertile fields, and multicolored flowers also seduced Hernán Cortés. He established the first Ayuntamiento, or municipality, here, which would briefly serve as the capital of the Spanish colonies after Tenochtitlan was conquered. Franciscans and Dominicans evangelized the place, leaving small chapels and beautiful churches among the magnificent baroque-style mansions that are still here today.
Among the important events in Coyoacán in the 19th century features the Batalla de Churubusco (Battle of Churubusco) against the United States. Nevertheless, by the 1930’s, Coyoacán was still a quaint small town, made up of hacienda estates, ranches, and communally farmed land. For this reason, it was declared a Zona Típica y Pintoresca (Traditional and Picturesque Zone) on October 5, 1934. Coyoacán’s cultural vocation was forged throughout the last century, as a series of artists, writers, historians, and scientists gathered in the area, with some even coming to live here.