Santa Anita

Santa Anita is a locality of the municipality of San Pedro Tlaquepaque, on the south side of the Guadalajara metropolitan area, at about 1,570 metres above sea level. At the 2020 census it had 23,531 inhabitants, making it the second most populous locality in the municipality after the seat itself. Its old name was Atlixtac, Nahuatl for "white water": around 1500 the Tlaxomulca people settled nearby, and in 1541, after the Mixtón War, the Spaniards made them move to the present site. Franciscans built a chapel to Santa Ana, and the town was formally founded on 2 October 1542 as Santa Ana Atlixtac; in the late 18th century it became Santa Anita. In 1904 a decree moved the comisaría from Tlajomulco to Tlaquepaque.

The heart of the town is the parish and sanctuary, with a carved stone façade between two towers and an open atrium. It houses the Virgin of Santa Anita, an image about 45 centimetres tall with a gold crown and halo. She is said to have arrived between 1530 and 1535, and in 1700 she was moved to the temple of Santa Ana. In 1776 her title changed to Candelaria or Purificación, and her feast has been held on 2 February since 1782. On 29 May 2004 she received a papal coronation granted by John Paul II. The Franciscans have had a permanent presence here since 1760 and run the sanctuary; they also run the Colegio Franciscano Santa Anita.

The patron festival lasts from 24 January to 2 February. Outside those days, commerce and farming are the main activities, and there are many schools from preschool to high school.