Naucalpan

The history of Naucalpan is rooted in ancient times, long before the arrival of Europeans. This city, now an important industrial and residential suburb of Mexico City, has evolved over centuries, absorbing the influences of great civilizations and colonial transformations.

Founding and Early Records

The territory of modern Naucalpan has been inhabited since ancient times. The city's name comes from the Nahuatl language and, according to one version, means "place of four houses" or "place of four quarters," indicating its early structure. Several hundred years before the common era, the Tlatilco culture, one of the oldest in the Valley of Mexico, flourished here. Later, the region was under Aztec rule until the early 16th century. Naucalpan received official status as a separate settlement in 1826.

Key Factors in Its Formation

The city's development was shaped by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: Proximity to Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City) made this territory strategically important for both the Aztecs and the Spanish colonizers. During the colonial period, building materials for the construction of Mexico City were extracted here.
• Religious Center: Between 1574 and 1575, the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios was built on the hill, eventually becoming one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country and contributing to the growth of the settlement.
• Industrialization: Industrial development began in the second half of the 19th century with the appearance of textile factories. In the 20th century, thanks to its location, Naucalpan transformed into one of Mexico's largest industrial centers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, the region's economy was agrarian, based on the cultivation of corn and other crops. In the colonial period, Naucalpan became an important supplier of stone and sand for the capital's construction. Cultural life was formed under the influence of both indigenous traditions and Spanish heritage. This is evidenced by the surviving archaeological sites from the Aztec period and colonial structures, such as old churches and the 17th-century Los Arcos aqueduct.

The history of Naucalpan, one of the key cities in Mexico, spans several millennia. From ancient civilizations to a modern industrial hub, here are the main milestones of its rich past.

Key Moments in Naucalpan's History

• 1700–600 BC — The Tlatilca culture emerges and flourishes in this territory. Later, the region experiences strong Olmec cultural influence.
• ~1200 AD — The land is conquered by the Chichimecs, who build the El Conde pyramid here.
• 1428 — The territory becomes part of the Aztec Empire. They are the ones who give it the name Naucalpan, meaning "place of four houses."
• June 30, 1520 — According to legend, Hernán Cortés stopped here to rest during the retreat from Tenochtitlán on "La Noche Triste" (The Night of Sorrows).
• 1574–1629 — Construction begins on the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Los Remedios and the Temple of San Bartolomé, which became important religious centers.
• 18th Century — To supply the sanctuary with water, the monumental Los Remedios Arches aqueduct is built, which survives to this day.
• 1826 — After Mexico gains independence, Naucalpan receives official status as a municipality.
• 1874 — The city receives its full name, Naucalpan de Juárez, in honor of President Benito Juárez, who promoted its industrialization.
• 1957–1958 — Naucalpan attains city status. Construction begins on the Ciudad Satélite district, symbolized by the famous Satellite Towers designed by Luis Barragán and Mathias Goeritz.
• 1990s — Present — The city consolidates its status as one of the most important industrial and business suburbs of Mexico City.

Key Development Milestones of Naucalpan

The development of Naucalpan is a story of transformation from an ancient settlement into one of the most important industrial and residential centers of the Mexico City metropolitan area. Key milestones reflect its economic, cultural, and urban transformations.

• Establishment as a Religious Center (1574): The construction of the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios on Totoltepec Hill turned Naucalpan into an important pilgrimage site. This fostered the growth of the settlement, attracting believers and stimulating the development of surrounding areas.
• Beginning of the Industrial Era (Late 19th Century): The opening of the first major industrial enterprises, particularly textile factories like "Río Hondo" and flour mills, was a turning point. The city's economy began to shift from agrarian to industrial, laying the foundation for future industrial growth.
• The "Satellite City" Project (Ciudad Satélite, 1950s): The development of an ambitious urban planning project, modeled after American suburbs, fundamentally changed the face of Naucalpan. This was an experiment in creating a modern, well-planned residential area for Mexico City's growing middle class, leading to rapid population growth and urban expansion.
• Construction of the Satellite Towers (Torres de Satélite, 1957–1958): The creation of this monumental sculptural complex by architects Luis Barragán and Mathias Goeritz was a major cultural event. The towers not only marked the entrance to the new district but also became a symbol of Mexican modernism and avant-garde urban development, recognized far beyond the country's borders.
• Attaining City Status (1957): The official recognition of Naucalpan as a city (ciudad) consolidated its new status as a rapidly growing economic and demographic hub in the State of Mexico.
• Consolidation as an Industrial Powerhouse (1970s): During this period, Naucalpan firmly established itself as one of the most powerful industrial zones in the metropolitan area, with a high concentration of pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and automotive industries.
• Development of Commercial Infrastructure (Since the 1970s): The opening of major shopping centers, such as Plaza Satélite (one of the first of its kind in Latin America), marked a new stage. The city's economy diversified, complementing its industrial base with a robust retail and services sector.

The architectural face of Naucalpan is a vibrant tapestry where different eras blend together: from ancient cultures and Spanish colonial Baroque to bold modernist experiments and the pragmatic architecture of a modern metropolis. Each historical period has left its unique mark on the city's urban landscape.

The heritage of the colonial era is most clearly seen in religious and engineering architecture. A key monument of this time is the monumental Los Remedios Arches. This aqueduct, built in the 18th century in the Spanish Baroque style, served to supply water to an important religious center — the Basilica of Our Lady of Los Remedios. Its sturdy stonework and arched construction remain a significant historical landmark in the Los Remedios National Park area.

A revolutionary shift in the city's architectural development occurred in the mid-20th century, when Naucalpan became the site for one of Mexico's most ambitious modernist projects. The city's signature landmark and symbol of the era became the famous Satellite Towers (Torres de Satélite), created in 1958 by architect Luis Barragán and sculptor Mathias Goeritz. These five multicolored prism towers served not only as an entrance sign for the new Ciudad Satélite district but also as a manifesto of "emotional architecture," forever changing the city's appearance.

Today, Naucalpan is a dynamic business and residential suburb of Mexico City. Its skyline is shaped by high-rise office buildings, modern residential complexes, and major shopping centers such as Plaza Carso and Gran Terraza Lomas Verdes. Additionally, the city features unique examples of organic architecture, such as the famous "Nautilus" house, built in the shape of a giant shell. This diversity of styles reflects the multifaceted character of Naucalpan as a city that values its past while looking confidently toward the future.

Notable Figures Associated with Naucalpan

While Naucalpan was not always the birthplace of every celebrity associated with it, it has served as a canvas for the creativity and career growth of many prominent figures, especially in the fields of architecture and urban planning.

Luis Barragán and Mathias Goeritz

Role: Architect and Sculptor.

Significance: This creative duo gave the city its most recognizable symbol — the Satellite Towers (Torres de Satélite). Luis Barragán, a Pritzker Prize winner, and Mathias Goeritz created this monumental sculpture in 1957, which became an icon of Mexican modernism and "emotional architecture." Their work defined the artistic and modern character of Naucalpan.

Mario Pani and José Luis Cuevas Pietrasanta

Role: Architects and Urban Planners.

Significance: These two architects were the main visionaries and designers of the revolutionary "Satellite City" (Ciudad Satélite) project in the 1950s. Their vision of a modern suburb inspired by American models, featuring circuit roads and extensive green spaces, laid the groundwork for Naucalpan's modern urban development and turned it into one of the most prestigious areas of the Mexico City metropolitan region.

Javier Senosiain

Role: Architect.

Significance: A leading representative of "organic architecture" in Mexico. His most famous creation, the Nautilus House (Casa Nautilus), is located right in Naucalpan. This residential building, shaped like a giant seashell and completed in 2006, has become a world-renowned example of bio-architecture and a modern landmark of the city.

Rodrigo Huescas

Role: Professional Footballer.

Significance: Born in Naucalpan, Rodrigo Huescas is a standout representative of the new generation of Mexican athletes. Playing as a midfielder for the prominent club Cruz Azul and representing the Mexican national team, he brings pride to his hometown on the sporting stage.

Omar Islas

Role: Professional Footballer.

Significance: Another Naucalpan native, Omar Islas has built a career in Mexican football, playing for several clubs in the first and second divisions, including UNAM Pumas and Querétaro. He serves as an inspiration for the city's young athletes.