Tetela del Volcán facts for kids
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Tetela del Volcán, often called Tetela, is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is the main town of the Tetela del Volcán municipality. The town sits on the side of the famous volcano Popocatépetl.
Tetela del Volcán is well-known for its old Dominican monastery, built in the 1500s. This monastery, along with other early monasteries nearby, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2015, about 20,698 people lived in the municipality. Other towns in the area include Hueyapan, Xochicalco, and Tlamimilulpan.
The name Tetela comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "place of rocks." The "Volcán" part refers to the Popocatépetl volcano.
Contents
History of Tetela del Volcán
Early History
In 1503, Tetela del Volcán and nearby Hueyapan became part of the Aztec Empire. This happened under the rule of Moctezuma II. The first Spanish explorers arrived in Tetela in 1519. These were Bernardino Vázquez de Tapia and Pedro de Alvarado.
After the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, fell, Hernán Cortés came to Tetela del Volcán. The local people were strong and resisted. Stories say that María Estrada and her husband helped the Spanish take control. Because of their help, Cortés gave them the lands of Tetela.
Later, in 1561, the Spanish Crown took direct control of Tetela. This meant it was no longer given to a private person.
Changes in Government
For a while in the 1600s, both Spanish and native leaders governed the area. In 1784, Tetela del Volcán became part of a larger district. It lost its special status as a main town.
Tetela del Volcán became its own municipality on January 31, 1937. This happened during the time of President Lázaro Cárdenas. For many years, the state governor usually chose the town's leader.
After the 2006 election, Mario Soberanes became the first mayor from a different political party. He was also the first mayor from the town of Hueyapan.
Recent Events
In 2017, two big earthquakes hit Mexico. The first one on September 7 did not harm Morelos state. But the second one on September 19 caused a lot of damage. It killed 74 people in Morelos. About 20,000 buildings were damaged. Tetela del Volcán was one of the towns hit hardest. More than 800 homes were destroyed there. Over 1,000 homes were damaged.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico in 2020, Tetela del Volcán took steps to protect its community. They blocked entrances to the town. Schools and many businesses closed from March until June. The local government sent food and water to families who needed help. By the end of 2020, Tetela reported 47 cases of the virus.
The Monastery of San Juan Bautista
The monastery of San Juan Bautista is a very important building in Tetela del Volcán. It is one of the Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dominicans built it in the early 1500s. Even Hernán Cortés visited it!
The outside of the monastery has many arches. Some are hidden by trees. The upper walls around the building have old paintings. Inside, the lower part of the cloister has figures painted on its arches and walls. In the ceilings above the walkways, you can see many cherubs. Some are fighting evil spirits, and some are even fighting each other! A special part of the monastery is its sacristy. It has a unique wooden roof built in a Moorish style.
Communities
Tetela del Volcán has a "sister city" in the United States. It is Pharr, Texas.
See also
In Spanish: Tetela del Volcán para niños
