At first glance, they might resemble the underground cities of Cappadocia, in Turkey; the reality is that this place is less than three hours from Mexico City. Yes, we’re talking about the Chalk Mines in Tlaxcala! Visiting them will make you feel like you’ve discovered a real treasure, and admission is only $20.
Located in the community of San Mateo Huexoyucan, within the municipality of Panotla, these mines are caverns that form labyrinths and landscapes of white clay. Walking through their tunnels is a true journey back in time, as in pre-Hispanic times, the gypsum from this site was used to create stucco and decorate large temples.
According to the Tlaxcala Ministry of Tourism, the site’s most recent history dates back to 1928, with the discovery of large reserves of calcite, which is the main component of chalk.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, the area remained active, with tons of material being extracted every day. Operations came to a halt in 1984 due to labor disputes; today, the area is a popular tourist attraction in the state.
In addition, the chalk extracted here is used to make corn lime tablets, which are essential for certain techniques in Mexican cuisine.
Mexico’s Little Cappadocia
This site may remind us of other destinations around the world, such as the Ruta del Sillar in Arequipa or the underground cities of Cappadocia themselves, which consist of labyrinths built from volcanic rock. Here are a couple of photos… do you think they bear any resemblance?
Now that you’ve gotten a taste of what this place has to offer, head out to explore the Tlaxcala Chalk Mines Monday through Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Keep in mind that the trail is rocky, so we recommend wearing non-slip shoes. And don’t forget to slather on plenty of sunscreen and stay well-hydrated during your visit.
