The Battle of Colhuacatonco was the Mexica Empire's most important victory during the Siege of Tenochtitlan, nearly killing Hernán Cortés.
Key Facts
- Date
- 30 June 1521
- Conflict
- Siege of Tenochtitlan
- Outcome
- Mexica victory; Spanish-Tlaxcalan forces repelled
- Notable incident
- Hernán Cortés captured and narrowly rescued
- Context
- Worst Spanish losses since La Noche Triste (1520)
- Final outcome
- Tenochtitlan fell to Spain in August 1521
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Spanish and Tlaxcalan forces had made little territorial progress since early June 1521, frustrating Captain Hernán Cortés. Seeking to break the stalemate, Cortés ordered a massive assault on the city with the aim of capturing the strategically important market of Tlatelolco.
The assault met far stronger Mexica resistance than anticipated across Tlatelolco, northern Tenochtitlan, and Tacuba. Spanish forces were driven back, suffering their worst casualties since La Noche Triste. Cortés himself was seized by Mexica warriors before being rescued by his own troops.
The battle dealt a significant psychological and military blow to the Spanish-Tlaxcalan alliance, demonstrating Mexica capacity for organized resistance even amid starvation and disease. Despite this victory, the Mexica could not prevent Tenochtitlan's eventual fall to the Spanish Empire in August 1521.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hernán Cortés.
Side B
1 belligerent