The church of Santiago Tlatelolco was erected after the Conquest, of 1521. The winners chose the place where the Mexicas had resisted military attacks for over 80 days.

When the conquistadors arrived in Tlatelolco, they destroyed the remnants of the Mexicas in order to erase all traces and legacy of this important culture. Thus, broken sculptures formed part of the building of the church of Santiago Apóstol.

The name of the site is due to the fact that Santiago was a symbol in Spain of the battle against the unfaithful during the Reconquest. This he is Patron Saint of Spain, guide and liberator of the New World.

Currently, behind the apse, on the east facade, you can see a fragment of a deity associated with the land. The building retains a relief of the seventeenth century and inside some paintings of great historical value are displayed.

Between 1536 and 1566 this place served as the Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco Imperial College, where friar Bernadino de Sahagun worked. In the nineteenth century it was used as a military prison and lasted as such well into the twentieth century. In 1976, it was renovated and housed the Historical Archive of the Secretary of Foreing Relations.