Tlaxcala House, Mexico City facts for kids
The Tlaxcala House is a special old building located at 40 San Ildefonso Street in the historic center of Mexico City. It's a great example of what a typical home looked like for a middle-class family in the 1700s. This means it was nicer than a common person's house but not as grand as a rich person's mansion.
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The Tlaxcala House: A Historic Home
The Tlaxcala House stands out in Mexico City's historic area. It tells a story about how people lived hundreds of years ago. This building helps us understand the history and architecture of the 18th century in Mexico.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house has a unique design that mixes different styles. It was built to be both practical and beautiful for the families who lived there.
Outside: Red Stone and White Frames
The front of the house, called the facade, has two levels. Most of it is covered in a deep red volcanic stone called tezontle. This stone gives the house a warm, rich color. Grayish-white stone, known as chiluca, is used to frame the windows and doors. This creates a nice contrast. On the lower level, the window shutters reach all the way up to the cornice, which is a decorative ledge at the top of the wall.
Inside: Patios and Skylights
When you enter through the main doorway, you step into an entrance hall. This hall leads to a lovely inner patio. This patio is open to the sky and brings light and fresh air into the house. Interestingly, only three of the patio's four sides have corridors and rooms. The fourth side is just a wall. The corridors on the north and south sides have beautiful arches. The north corridor also has a ceiling with strong, heavy wooden beams. To get to the upper floor, you use a stairway that is lit by an octagonal (eight-sided) skylight. This skylight lets natural light pour in, making the stairs bright and inviting.
Who Lived Here? A Famous Writer
Near the end of the 1800s, a famous writer named Jose Marti lived in this house. Jose Marti was an important figure from Cuba, known for his writing and his fight for Cuba's independence. A special plaque at the entrance of the building reminds everyone of his time living there.
What is the Tlaxcala House Today?
Today, the Tlaxcala House serves an important purpose. It is the official home for the Tlaxcala State delegation in Mexico City. A "state delegation" is like an office for the government of the state of Tlaxcala. They use this house to represent their state and work with the federal government in Mexico City.
See also
In Spanish: Casa de Tlaxcala para niños
