Museo Regional de Tlaxcala

The Museo Regional de Tlaxcala is the leading historical museum in the state of Tlaxcala. The name is sometimes written with the appendage -INAH at the end to note that it's run by the National Institute of Anthropology and History, widely regarded as the leading museum-running organization in Mexico. In fact, they manage about 164 other museums across the country.

Here, they tackle the complex and fascinating history and peoples of Tlaxcala. They're housed in part of the old Monastery of the Assumptionthe other part of which still stands right next door. Begun by the Franciscans in a nearly unique Mudejar style, the building even if empty would be a a treasure trove of artifacts. In its long history, it also served as a prison, as a school, a barracks for soldiers, and as housing for the many workers contracted to restore all of these old and worthy things. Most famously, it was long used as an infirmary specialized in attending to indigenous patients. 

The museum was begun in 1978 by the INAH Puebla-Tlaxcala Regional Center and it opened in 1981. It was extensively renovated in the season leading up to 2015 when it was rededicated. Today the collection includes some 5,000 artifacts. Among all of them are skeletal remains, stone sculptures, and paintings. Many archaeological findings from across the state will end up on permanent view here. 

The permanent collection is organized into 12 different historical periods. The paleontology period covers pre-history. Four sections cover the ancient period. There are five for the colonial era and one just for the period of the Mexican Revolution. It's a wonderful place to visit, especially for those whose appetites have been whetted by a visit to the other areas of the Tlaxcala capital.