Located 30 kilometers from the city of Puebla, Atlixco is famous for its good climate, ideal for growing crops, which is why it was known as “the granary of New Spain” during colonial times and “Atlixco de las flores” or “Atlixco of the flowers” today.

The municipality of Atlixco is located in the central western part of the state of Puebla. The center occupies an extensive valley and belongs to the sub-basin of the Nexapa River that crosses the heart of the Atlixco valley. It is also characterized by a landscape dominated by the imposing Popocatépetl volcano.

The name Atlixco, meaning “water in the valley or on the surface of the ground” comes from the Nahuatl “atl”, which means water, and “ixtla” which means plain or valley.

In pre-Hispanic times it was known as Cuauhquechollan “Eagle that flees” and, later, in viceregal times, it was named Acapetlahuacan “Place of cane mats,” before acquiring the name Atlixco.

Its first settlers in pre-Hispanic times were the Xicalancas, from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It was also a Teochichimeca settlement and later fell under the dominion of Tenochtitlán.

Its geographical position made it the scene of struggles between the various indigenous groups that lived in the surrounding regions. The towns of Calpan, Huejotzingo and Cholula disputed at various times the possession of the valley which, upon the arrival of the Spaniards, was dominated by Huejotzingo.

During the 16th century the Atlixco Valley was one of the richest and most important areas in the economic life of the viceroyalty, becoming the prime source of grain in New Spain.

Around the year 1550, Fray Toribio de Benavente, known as Motolinía, and the architect Fray Juan de Alameda founded one of the first Franciscan convents in the Atlixco region, making it a part of the evangelization process.

The Augustinian order was the second to arrive in Atlixco, founding a monastery here in the last decade of the 16th century. The mission of this order was not to evangelize the indigenous people, but to provide spiritual care to the Spanish and criollo inhabitants.

Later, other monastery complexes pertaining to different orders were built, demonstrating its level of economic and religious development.

On September 29, 1579, the Villa de Carrión was founded by authorization of King Felipe II, who also granted it a coat of arms.

In 1632 it was designated the head town, becoming independent from Huejotzingo, with eleven towns under its charge. By the end of the 17th century, Atlixco had become established as a town of enormous agricultural wealth. Its abundance was such that it was the Villa that made the greatest contribution towards the construction of the City of Puebla.

On March 3, 1706 it became a type of feudal manor, granted by King Felipe V to José Sarmiento de Valladares, who was given the title of first Duke and Lord of Atlixco.

During the war of independence, Atlixco was wholly on the side of the royalists, since it was a city of Spaniards. However, in 1821, when the insurgent movement triumphed, Captain Luis de Ojeda formed the Loyalist Regiment of Atlixco, made up of about 600 men. On February 14, 1843, General Nicolás Bravo, Interim President of the Republic, granted Atlixco the category of city, in consideration of those services.

In the 19th century Atlixco was the scene of historical events. On May 15, 1847, it became the headquarters of the Government of the State of Puebla during the American invasion, which remained there until mid-October that same year. Likewise, during the French Intervention, it was the scene of a battle in which French sympathizers were defeated, contributing to victory in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Today, Atlixco is a municipality whose main economic activities are agriculture and commerce. It is also home to valuable and deeply rooted traditions such as “El Huey Atlixcáyotl,” which in Nahuatl means “the great Atlixca tradition.” This is celebrated the first weekend of September with dances from the region. It is a festival that is held, according to pre-Hispanic tradition, in honor of Quetzalcóatl, to offer thanks for the gifts received at the harvest. In 1996 the “Atlixcáyotl” was named Cultural Heritage of the State of Puebla.

Other important celebrations in Atlixco are the feast of San Miguel Arcángel, the patron saint, which takes place on the last Sunday of September. Meanwhile, the day of San Félix is celebrated on the last Sunday of May.

Notable handicrafts include utensils made from both natural and painted clay, embroidered shirts and candles. The local cuisine is known for the Atlixco-style consommé, cecina, cumin tamales, tlacoyos and trout. A typical sweet is Jeripa, which is pink and made with rice flour, milk and egg yolks; it is served in clay pots and sprinkled with sesame.

The city street plan was laid out in the 16th century, around the year 1537, by Fray Alonso de Buendía. It was developed from the settlement of the indigenous town of Santa María Acapetlahuacán, located on the slopes of the San Miguel hill, and from the foundation of the Villa de Carrión further down the hill. These settlements form the basis of the urban structure that makes up the present-day city of Atlixco.

The Atlixco Zone of Historical Monuments was decreed on May 27, 1988. It covers an area of 590 m2 and comprises 43 blocks that include buildings with historical and architectural value built between the 16th and 19th centuries, some of which were used for religious worship, including: the Church and Convent of San Francisco, the Chapel of the Third Order, the Parish Church of the Nativity, the Former Monastery and Church of San Agustín, the Church of La Merced, the Church of the Sweet Name of Mary, the Church and Former Monastery of Santa Clara and the Church and Former Monastery of San Juan de Dios.

Other buildings have been used for educational purposes, welfare services, and for use by civil, ecclesiastical and military authorities. These include the Portal Hidalgo, the former House of the Marqués de Santa Martha, the Municipal Presidency, the House of Audience, the Poblana Botica pharmacy, and the San Juan de Dios Hospital.