Tepalcingo facts for kids

Tepalcingo is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is located at about 18 degrees North latitude and 98 degrees West longitude. The name Tepalcingo comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "down or behind the flints."

Tepalcingo is surrounded by other towns. To the north are Ayala and Jonacatepec. To the south are Tlaquiltenango and the state of Puebla. To the east are Axochiapan and Jonacatepec. To the west are Ayala and Tlaquiltenango. The town is 1,160 meters (about 3,806 feet) above sea level.

Tepalcingo is also the main town for the area around it, which is called a municipality. In 2015, about 27,187 people lived in the municipality.

History of Tepalcingo

Ancient History

People believe that Tepalcingo was started in 1272. It was founded by Mixtec people who left a place called Iloala (now Iguala Guerrero). Old ruins, thought to be from an ancient village called Pueblo Viejo, have been found in the hills near modern Tepalcingo.

Later, in 1445, the Aztecs took control of Tepalcingo. It then became part of the Aztec lands ruled from Huaxtepec (Oaxtepec).

Spanish Colonial Times

After the Conquest of Mexico by the Spanish, Tepalcingo first paid taxes directly to the Spanish king. In 1532, it became part of the lands owned by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conqueror. It was then linked to Yecapichtlan (Yecapixtla).

Martín Cortés, Hernán's son, faced people who wanted to be free from his rule. So, from 1565, Tepalcingo was part of a group of fifteen towns called the Tlalnahuac. The Cortés family officially gained these lands in 1587. Later, the lands were passed down to different noble families in Spain.

During this time, many people in the Tlalnahuac area got sick. Diseases from Europe, like smallpox and measles, spread widely. Local people did not have natural defenses against these new illnesses. Because of this, they could not fight back in an organized way. For about 350 years, they were under the control of large Spanish estates called haciendas.

Becoming Independent

In 1829, Vicente Guerrero, a leader in Mexico's fight for independence, ended the special land ownership of the Cortés family. However, parts of the hacienda lands stayed with the Cortés family's descendants for many years. The people of Tepalcingo tried to get their lands back in 1853, but they were not successful at that time.

When Mexico became independent in 1821, the area of modern Morelos was part of the State of Mexico. The state of Morelos was created in 1869. Tepalcingo, including the area of Huautla, officially became its own municipality on June 14, 1872.

Between 1895 and 1910, a smallpox sickness caused many deaths in the area. For example, between August 1903 and January 1904, many children in Tepalcingo died from the disease.

The Mexican Revolution

During the Mexican Revolution, which was a big war in Mexico, several local people from Tepalcingo lost their lives. These included Dionisio Gómez, Severiano Pérez, Claudio Pérez, and others.

Recent Times

On September 19, 2017, a strong earthquake hit Mexico. Even though the earthquake's center was in Axochiapan, Tepalcingo was one of the towns most affected. Many buildings were damaged, including homes, public buildings, and churches. The important Sanctuary of Jesus of Nazareth was badly hurt. The local mayor said that 700 homes could not be used, and many others had cracks. Luckily, no lives were lost in Tepalcingo during the earthquake.

Alfredo Sánchez Velez became the mayor of Tepalcingo in 2018.

In 2020, like many places, Tepalcingo was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Schools and many businesses closed for a few months. Vaccinations for older citizens began in March 2021.

Culture and Traditions

Tepalcingo is famous for its very old fair. It is the oldest fair in Morelos and one of the most important in Mexico. The fair happens on the third Friday of Lent each year. Many visitors come from Morelos and nearby states. They enjoy traditional drinks like pulque and watch traditional dances. People also sell cattle and handmade crafts, like special boxes made from Olinalá aromatic wood.

Tepalcingo has three types of traditional music: Tecuanes, Tlatenquiza, and Cañeros. The local food is also special. It includes green mole made with pumpkin seeds, served with ash tamales. There is also red turkey mole, and cecina (a type of dried meat) with cheese and green sauce. Barbecue made from young goat and wild pigeons stewed in different sauces are also popular dishes.

Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve

The Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve (REBIOSH) is a special protected area. It was created in 2006 and covers a large area of 59,031 hectares (about 145,869 acres). This reserve is located in the Balsas River Basin and includes parts of Tepalcingo and other municipalities.

The land in the reserve is very varied, with hills and mountains ranging from 700 to 2,240 meters (about 2,297 to 7,349 feet) above sea level. This area is home to many unique plants and animals that are found only in Mexico. The reserve has different types of environments, like dry forests, river areas, and pine and oak forests.

Many different species live here. Scientists have found 939 types of plants, 44 types of butterflies, 71 types of mammals, 208 types of birds, 53 types of reptiles, 18 types of amphibians, and 14 types of fish. Some of the amazing animals you might find include jaguars, the short-horned Baronia butterfly, beaded lizards, military macaws, roufus-backed robins, Balsas screech owls, Pileated flycatchers, mountain lions, ocelots, margays, bobcats, and jaguarundis.

Places to Visit

Tepalcingo has many interesting places for visitors. You can explore the ancient Pueblo Viejo site. There are also water parks like Las Termas with warm water and Los Delfines water park.

For nature lovers, there is Ecotourism in the Sierra de Huautla reserve. You can also enjoy the view from the Cerrito Tepactzin hill or visit the local dam.

Important religious sites include the Sanctuary of the Lord of Tepalcingo, the churches of Santa Mónica, Holy Cross, and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The parish of San Martín Obispo is also popular, especially on its feast day on November 11. The old Hacienda de San Nicolás Tolentino is another historical place to see.

Shrine of the Lord of Tepalcingo

The Shrine of the Lord of Tepalcingo is a very special church. A local story says that in the 16th century, a girl found a small wooden figure of Jesus Christ in the river. It was a figure of Jesus tied to a column. A small chapel was built to honor this figure. Over time, the sculpture was moved to different chapels.

Later, in the 18th century, a craftsman was asked to make a larger sculpture of the Patron Saint. This new figure was of Jesus of Nazareth carrying a cross. When the men were carrying this new figure to Tepalcingo, it supposedly became very heavy at a certain spot. So, a church was built right there using yellow stone from Chalcatcingo.

Experts say the Shrine of Tepalcingo is a great example of a style called "popular baroque" in Mexico. The most amazing part is its main entrance, which is pink. It has many detailed carvings made of stucco, like those found in ancient pyramids. These carvings show scenes from the Old and New Testaments, from the creation of the world to the Last Supper.

Communities in Tepalcingo

The municipality of Tepalcingo is made up of 20 smaller communities. The most important ones are Tepalcingo (the main town), Huitchila, Ixtlilco El Chico, Ixtlilco El Grande, Los Sauces, El Tepehuaje, El Limón, Pitzotlán, El Pastor, and Zacapalco.

See also

In Spanish: Municipio de Tepalcingo para niños