Santa María Malinalco

The Santa María Malinalco Chapel is in the neighborhood of the same name. It’s one of the 25 original settlements of Azcapotzalco. The chapel is believed to have been built over an ancient temple to Malintzin or Malinaxóchitl.

• The sister of Huitzilopochtli, Malinalxochitl was a sorceress and goddess of snakes, scorpions, and insects of the desert. Although evil, in the popular tradition she is remembered as wise and beautiful and representing the feminine essence of Malinalco. Her alternate name Matlalatl, means “beautiful woman of the blue waters.”

The Augustinians, then headquartered in Malinalco in Mexico State, likely influenced the construction of this little chapel in the 17th century. But Malinalco, in Mexico State, was long a place of strong mystical and spiritual influence. It is very curious that they retained the name of the ancient deity even here. It was a visiting chapel for many years prior to becoming a parish church in its own right.

During the ancient period, the neighborhood here was part of the Tepaneca civilization headquartered in Azcapotzalco. The town borders the Historic Center of Azcapotzalco on the east.

As such, it’s an easy walk from many of the sites and attractions there. It’s roughly a 12-minute walk from Metro Camarones.