This is the first city founded by Hernán Cortés in Mexico, the house where he lived can still be visited.

The first city in Mexico is located in Veracruz, the state where Hernán Cortés and the Spanish settled after their arrival in 1519. This is La Antigua, a municipality that before receiving this name was a Totonac town called Huitzilapan, meaning “hummingbird river” in Nahuatl.

La Antigua is located just 28 kilometers from the port of Veracruz and is home to Hernán Cortés’s house and other attractions.

Construction of the city began in 1525, and by 1574 it was a town of 200 Spanish residents, with more than 600 African slaves, and which included parishes, monasteries, and even a charity hospital.

The new town was initially called the city of Vera Cruz, but at the beginning of the 17th century it was renamed La Antigua Veracruz, to differentiate it from Nueva Veracruz. According to the municipality’s official website,

What to visit in La Antigua, Veracruz?

One of the town’s greatest treasures is the house of Hernán Cortés, which stands out for its Andalusian design with rocks, flat tiles, and a mixture of stucco. But beyond the amazement that its still standing may cause, what makes it fascinating is that part of the house was fused with tree roots.

Admission is free, but it’s best to hire a guide to learn much more about the house and the town.

Another impressive place is the Huitzilapan River, key to the founding of the city and which served as a connection for boats to reach San Juan de Ulúa. Here you can enjoy the local flora and fauna, as well as take a boat ride or walk across a suspension bridge.

The Ermita del Rosario is another must-see, as it is considered the first church in the Americas where the fusion of both cultures can be observed. It features 14 Stations of the Cross made with Talavera mosaic and a baptismal font carved from volcanic rock.

Source: elsiglodetorreon