Chiapa de Corzo

Nearby Cities -> | Palenque | San Cristobal de las Casas | Tuxtla Gutierrez |

Prior to Spanish Conquest, the area around what is now Chiapa de Corzo was settled by the Chiapanecos who fended off the first conquest attempt by Luis Marin in 1524 - a scant three years after Hernan Cortez conquered the Aztecs. Diego de Mazariegos returned in 1528 and succeeded. As a prize, he was given an encomienda over the area. He named the town Villa Real and proceeded to subjugate the Indians.

In 1552 Fray Bartolome de las Casas obtained permission from the Spanish Crown to dismantle the encomienda and renamed the city Villa Real Corona. The name continued to change to Chiapa Española and then Chiapa de los Indios, incorporating the word Chiapa from the chia tree which proliferated in the area. In 1888, the name was changed to Chiapa de Corzo in honor of the city's mayor - Angel Albino Corzo.

During the month of January - around the 15th, the Day of San Sebastian - the city celebrates la Feria de San Sebastian. Legend has it the crippled child of a rich woman was cured due to a combination of her prayers to this noble saint and his baths in a small lagoon in the area called Jaguey following a herbalist's suggestion.

Once cured, the herbalist suggested she celebrate a party parachico - for the boy - and she chose the Day of San Sebastian. The name Parachico is now given to the colorful costumes depicting Spaniards designed for the feast.

Travel to Chiapa de Corzo

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