La Antigua is a municipality in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city of José Cardel serves as the municipal seat. La Antigua is regarded as the first real Spanish town in Mexico.
History
In prehispanic times, La Antigua was populated by a totonac settlement called Huitzilapan, which in Nahuatl means "in the river of the hummingbirds."
The town of La Antigua was first known as Vera Cruz Vieja (Old "Vera Cruz"), as it was the settlement for the city of Veracruz from 1525 to 1599, when the settlement moved to the actual place where the port stands. The place was chosen due to its better protection from the north winds and the inhospitable sandy areas of the area of San Juan de Ulúa. The oldest church in the Americas was founded here by Hernán Cortés in the early 16th century.
The majority of the commercial traffic of the Iberian Peninsula and New Spain arrived through La Antigua for approximately 75 years.
The municipality is crossed by the La Antigua River (also called Huitzilapan), which collects water from the Paso de Ovejas and San Juan Rivers.
Demographics
As of 2015, the population of La Antigua was of 26,920 inhabitants, of which 12,875 were men and 14,045 were women.
Culture
Notable sites
Casa de Hernán Cortes: In the town of La Antigua stands the house of Hernán Cortés, a popular tourist attraction, although it is debated if it really was the house of the conquistador, as some sources indicate the house may have been in reality a customs house. The house was built in 1523 and was constructed with corals, snail slime, oyster, nopal, volcanic stone, brick and stucco; but since a hurricane hit the area in the 19th century is completely covered with roots and vines.
La Ceiba: At approximately 30 meters from the La Antigua River stands an old tree supported by chains. The tree, called La Ceiba, has branches more than 20 meters long. It is believed that Hernán Cortés moored his boats on the tree when arriving to La Antigua. The course of three hurricanes modified the course of the river to the point that the tree no longer stands by the river.
Carnival: Celebrated in March, masks and costumes
Fiesta de la Santa Cruz: on May 3, several dances accompanied by music are held in the town.
Fiesta de Santa Ana: on June 26, with the towns of Alvarado and Tlacotalpan, processions in honor to the Virgins of the Candelaria and Rosario are made along the La Antigua River.
Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario: on October 7, a procession with launches is made along the La Antigua River in honor to the Virgin of the Rosario. Pyrotechnics can be heard and some launches head to the temple on the way back to La Antigua.