If you enjoy walking through Mexico City’s historic downtown, you may have noticed streets full of history, museums, and cafes. Among them, one road stands out as the oldest in the city, a path that has witnessed centuries of life, culture, and the growth of Tenochtitlán.

This ancient road is called Tacuba. The Tacuba causeway dates back to pre-Hispanic times and was originally known as Calzada de Tlacopan, meaning “place over the rods” in Nahuatl. It connected Tenochtitlán with the allied towns of the Triple Alliance efficiently.

Calle de Tacuba is not just a historic street; it traces a segment of the original Aztec causeway, the Calzada de Tlacopan. This raised road once connected Tenochtitlán to western allies and markets, forming a key artery that survives in modern Mexico City.

During the Spanish conquest in 1520, Tacuba gained historic fame as the route where Hernán Cortés’ forces retreated during the “Night of Sorrows,” or Noche Triste. Legend says Hernan Cortés wept near an ahuehuete tree, whose remains can still be seen in the area today.

Tacuba was a crucial artery for trade and communication during pre-Hispanic times, linking key towns and markets. It also played a strategic role in military movements, allowing allied forces to coordinate rapidly and maintain control over surrounding regions.

The Spanish later changed the name from Tlacopan to Tacuba, likely due to a mispronunciation, and it has remained so ever since. Tacuba became not only a central street in Mexico City but also one of the most important historic roads in all of the Americas.

Calle Tacuba, Mexico City

Tacuba was among the first streets to host electric tramways, linking downtown Mexico City with western neighborhoods. This modernization helped expand the city while maintaining the road’s role as a key artery connecting communities and commercial centers.

Over many centuries, Tacuba has been more than a road; it has hosted local markets, religious processions, and community gatherings. Residents and travelers used it daily, shaping a living street culture that blended commerce, festivity, and urban tradition.

Exploring Tacuba today

Today, walking along Tacuba is like traveling through time. You can explore cafés, museums, and historic sites that line the street, each telling a story of pre-Hispanic civilizations, colonial development, and Mexico City’s transformation over centuries of social and cultural change.

Among Tacuba’s most notable attractions is the Museo de la Tortura, offering insights into historical justice practices, and the Casa de Hernán Cortés, one of the few remaining colonial-era houses that preserves the memory of the conquest and Spanish settlement.

Tacuba has long been a hub for artistic and social activity. Traditional festivals, street performances, and artisan markets keep the street vibrant, blending centuries of history with contemporary urban culture, making it a living space for both locals and visitors.

Café de Tacuba, one of the city’s oldest restaurants, welcomes visitors with traditional Mexican cuisine, colonial architecture, and decorative murals. Its presence highlights how Tacuba blends daily life with historical significance, offering a living connection to the past.

Today, Tacuba remains a vibrant cultural hub. Seasonal festivals, public art installations, and street performances attract both locals and tourists, transforming the historic thoroughfare into a lively stage for Mexico City’s creative and artistic expression.

Tacuba is also home to artistic landmarks, such as Plaza Manuel Tolsá and the Museo Manuel Tolsá, celebrating Mexico’s art and sculpture heritage. These sites provide a cultural journey, showcasing the city’s evolution from colonial times to the modern era.

Other remarkable sites along Tacuba include El Jardín de la Triple Alianza, Galerías Castillo, and the Museo del Telégrafo, all offering visitors a mix of history, leisure, and education, making Tacuba a perfect example of how urban life and heritage coexist in Mexico City.

The street preserves a remarkable variety of architectural styles, from pre-Hispanic foundations to colonial mansions and early republican buildings. This diversity provides insight into the city’s layered urban development, with Tacuba serving as a link across time periods.

Tacuba also features grand monuments like the Equestrian Statue of Carlos IV, the Palacio de Minería, and the Museo Nacional de Arte, reflecting the city’s architectural and artistic achievements while preserving memories of past centuries for locals and tourists alike.

Tacuba also serves as an educational route. Museums, libraries, and cultural centers along the street provide rich opportunities for learning, helping visitors and students alike to explore Mexico City’s layered history and gain insights into past civilizations.

Religious and historical architecture is well represented with buildings such as the Exconvento de Betlemitas, which houses MIDE, and the Museo del Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos, preserving military history. These sites emphasize Tacuba’s diverse cultural importance.

The Biblioteca del Congreso de la Unión and Biblioteca Ing. Antonio M. Anza offer spaces for knowledge and research, showing that Tacuba is not only a historic or tourist street but also a living center for education, civic activity, and local culture.

The Palacio de Correos and the Casona de Xicoténcatl, former seat of the Senate, further highlight Tacuba’s political and administrative relevance throughout Mexico’s history. Walking these streets is walking alongside centuries of governance and urban development.

Conclusion

Today, Tacuba remains a vital artery in modern Mexico City, linking the historic center with major roads and neighborhoods, allowing residents and tourists alike to experience its rich heritage. The road shows how ancient paths continue to shape urban life today.

Walking along Tacuba is more than a stroll through the city; it is a journey into the past. From its pre-Hispanic origins, through the conquest and colonial periods, to its modern cultural and social significance, Tacuba offers an unforgettable lens into Mexico City’s history.

Tacuba’s role in contemporary urban life extends beyond tourism. Residents continue to use the street daily, maintaining markets, small businesses, and cultural practices that have evolved for centuries. This ongoing activity keeps the road vibrant and socially relevant.

The street also inspires creative projects. Artists, photographers, and filmmakers often choose Tacuba for exhibitions and shoots, highlighting its historical depth. These projects help preserve memories, promote cultural awareness, and connect Mexico City’s past with its present.