On a trip to Santa María Atlihuetzián, the religious art of the municipality of Yauhquemehcan can be a cultural highlight. Pay attention to the place names when planning: the church of Santa María is in Santa María Atlihuetzía; the Temple of San Dionisio is in San Dionisio Yauhquemehcan. These are different named places within the municipality. If you are looking for a hotel, first choose the location according to where you would like to stay, then plan the specific sights based on their respective location information.
Church Art and Architectural History
The Templo de Atlihuetzia, also called the Iglesia de la Concepción de Atlihuetzía, is classified as a historic monument in the municipality and dates from the 16th century. Both names refer to the same building. The church of Santa María in Santa María Atlihuetzía contains paintings, gilded altarpieces, and older works of art from the former Concepción convent. Its Baroque façade is adorned with sculptures; its construction history dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Thus, two historical periods stand side by side within the municipality: a temple from the 16th century and a church with a construction history spanning the 17th and 18th centuries. Along with their dates, the different forms invite comparison: here, a façade adorned with sculptures; there, paintings and gilded altarpieces.
Atlihuetzia is also home to the first smelting furnace and the first bell made in the New World. This historical connection adds a glimpse of early casting and bell-making history to the church buildings.
The Temple of San Dionisio in San Dionisio Yauhquemehcan was completed in 1735. Its Baroque main altarpiece features carved figures of the twelve apostles and San Dionisio in the central niche. The niche gives the saint a place of his own in the altarpiece’s design; the apostles are also represented as carved figures. Along with its date, the specific arrangement of the figures is another feature to consider when viewing this building.
Getting Around and the Landscape
A narrow path lined with large trees leads from the road to the Temple of San Dionisio. The building is in the town center, next to the square and opposite a public plaza. The path and the plaza offer different points of reference for your visit. Check current road conditions before setting out.
In San Dionisio Yauhquemehcan, the Barranca del Toro is a natural viewpoint overlooking Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Whether both volcanoes are visible may vary depending on the weather and haze. This landscape offers a different focus from the churches: here, the view of the volcanoes and changing visibility take center stage rather than façades, paintings, and altarpieces.
Yauhquemehcan is on the “Los Textiles y el Centro” route. The federal highways 117 San Martín Texmelucan–Tlaxcala–Apizaco and 136 Apizaco–Yauhquemehcan are designated as access roads to the municipality. Check the current route before traveling.
Discover more destinations: Chiautempan, Xalostoc, Tlaxco, Totolac, Apizaco, Terrenate, Ciudad De Nanacamilpa, La Libertad.
For the regional travel overview: Tlaxcala.
