Located where the old royal road was, Aquespala has been in
danger of extinction over and over again. This site has been populated over and
over again by diverse ethnic groups, sometimes brought from distant sites.
Because it seemed that this site was not good for agricultural production it was
left alone over and over again. Today, a small group of families made of no
more than 5 people established in the new town known as the agrarian colony
(Joaquin Miguel Gutierrez).
It is said that by 1596 Aquespala already existed
and that it belonged to the Dominic convent of Comitan. Aquespala had been
founded by the Dominic, probably a little after 1548. At that time, the language
they spoke was the Coxoh.
· Aquespala Church ·
The ruins are still there, the walls were made of adobe. The
total dimensions of the building were approximately of about 56.15 meters long.
The front wall of the church was constructed with different kinds of materials;
the core was made of large stones, probably taken from the river that is 200
meters away.
The small group of settled families belong the ethnic group called Tzeltal.
It is located 56 kilometers from the city of Comitan; following the Pan American road (190) taking a detour to San Gregorio Chamic in the entrance that leads to the Colon lakes.
For the visitor interested in knowing these colonial ruins, he/she should realize that the only way to get there is by renting a car in the city of Comitan or in San Gregorio Chamic.
Colon lakes, archaeological zone El lagartero and the city of Comitan de Dominguez.
To obtain more information, please visit the tourism Department of
that city:
Calle central oriente, Benito Juárez No. 6, C.P. 30000
Tel: (963) 63 2 40 47
or call toll free 01 800-280-3500