To speak of San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula is to speak of a region rich in tradition and adorned with architectural and cultural treasures. Its magic lies primarily in its cobblestone streets, the hospitality of its people, the legends that have emerged over time, the natural excursions through its landscapes, paths, and mountains, the endemic flora of the region, and, most importantly, the historical monuments that highlight the significance of Mixtec culture and stand as faithful witnesses to the history of this community.
The original name of this Magic Town is Teposcolollan, which in Mixtec means "next to the bend of copper." According to research, this name comes from the type of currency used before the conquest, which took the shape of small copper axes. In Náhuatl, it is called Tepuscutlan, derived from the words Tepuztli (iron), Colhua (twisted), and Tlan (place), which translates to "Place of Twisted Irons" in Spanish.
The municipality of San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula has successfully developed a tourist offering primarily based on its historical, cultural, and natural attributes, visibly represented in its architectural structures. These showcase the fusion of two cultures, which has become the main legacy of this community. One remarkable example is the Casa de la Cacica, a palace where the last queen of Mixtec culture lived. The palace served as a storage place for valuable items such as hides, feathers, diamonds, gold, silk, and other precious goods brought from the territories that constituted the cacicazgo of Teposcolula. This period marked the town's greatest prosperity during the 16th and 17th centuries, as the municipality was the center of economic, social, and cultural wealth in the region.
Adjacent to this palace lies the 16th-century convent complex, which includes the Open Chapel, the Temple of San Pedro y San Pablo, and the Ex Dominican Convent, where the Chapel of Santa Gertrudis is also located. The magnificent Open Chapel has been described by John Mc. Andrew as “…the most skillfully constructed building in America…” and stands as the ONLY analogy between the Catholic temple and the indigenous teocalli. It is also recognized as the largest in Latin America and was used for over a century by Dominican friars to evangelize the Indigenous peoples. Notably, individuals traveled from other parts of the state and even from Puebla and Guerrero to visit this site.
Right next to it, you'll find the Temple of San Pedro y San Pablo, considered a true sanctuary. Inside, there is a uniquely beautiful Christ figure known as the “Lord of the Stained Glass Windows,” celebrated on the First Friday of Lent, forming the main festivity of this municipality.
It also features the Hospital de Indios de la Santa Veracruz, the Odriozola and Arvea houses and plazas, Tandaa, Alarcón, the corn cribs, the Portal de Dolores, and the Municipal Palace. The aqueduct extends 8 kilometers, starting in Yucundaa, and along its course, you can see remnants of both the drains and the aqueduct itself, which ends at the Alcantarrilla.
During the colonial period, Teposcolula had a sophisticated water management system, culminating in a network of strategically placed reservoirs to supply the general population and direct water connections for prominent families such as the Odriozola, Arvea, and Pérez families, as well as the Convent and San Bartolo neighborhood.
All these buildings grant Teposcolula the designation of a "ZONE OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS" as per the decree issued on July 22, 1986, and published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Gazette of the Federation) on August 11 of the same year by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). This designation was signed by the President of the Republic, Lic. Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado.
Considering all the above, San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula aims to strengthen its tourism offerings to contribute to the development of a better quality of life for locals and to reinforce authentic cultural values. This is achieved by integrating all stakeholders, as has been done so far, and continuing to promote activities, products, and services with a sustainable vision for resource management. Respect for the environment, active community involvement, and the promotion of fair trade among tourists are key elements of this approach.
The magnificent cultural heritage left to this community by the Dominican religious order is just one part of a vast array of cultural expressions that can be explored through tequitqui—the art created by Indigenous peoples after the conquest of Mexico.
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