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The
state of Michoacan is an uncommon place. From the farms and ranches
of Piedad and Sahuayo to the sugar cane fields of Los Reyes, the
avocados, mangos, coffee, and macadamias of Uruapan, the melon
fields of Apatzingan, the ruggedly pristine Pacific coast to the
port city of Lazaro Cardenas, the rugged pine-crested peaks of
Mil Cumbres all the way to gold, caves and the tierra caliente
of Huetamo, to the mines and butterflies of Angangueo and the
former mining town of Tlalpujahua, it's as varied a state as you'll
find anywhere in Mexico.
Did
we mention blackberries and pears? Or Christmas ornaments? Or
wood products? Or Patzcuaro and Vasco de Quiroga's re-creation
of Thomas More's Utopia? Craft-central, and ground zero for Noche
de Muertos. Or Paricutin, one of the world's most recent volcanoes?
The guitars of Paracho, the lace of Aranza, the masks of
Tocuaro, the devils of Ocumicho, and the pottery of Capula? The
Meseta Purepecha, the archeological wonders of Tingambato, Tzintzuntzan
and Ihuatzio? Or Santa Clara de Cobre?
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We
haven't even mentioned Morelia, the most Spanish of all Mexican
cities, which warrants a book all of its own. This is the state
which produced one of Mexico's most revered leaders - Lazaro Cardenas.
This is the state which has sent off the second-highest number
of its own to work across foreign borders. This is the state in
which the oldest university in the American continent was founded
back in 1540. --- Jennifer Rose, Morelia, Michoacan
Michoacán
- The very soul of Mexico
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Morelia
is one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Mexico. The city
oozes an air of elegance and tranquility. It is the capital of
the state of Michoacan and it was founded in 1541 by the Viceroy
Antonio de Mendoza.
Morelia was named Valladolid during the colonial period
and the name was changed to Morelia in honor of the General Don
Jose Ma. Morelos. Its ample avenues are flanked by distinguished
buildings which will remind you of typical Spanish architecture.
Its historical center combines several artistic and architectonic
styles of the passing centuries which make this place a cultural
complex of such merit that in 1991 the UNESCO declared it a Cultural
Patrimony of Humanity.
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Morelia has civil and religious monuments from the XVI century
to the XX century like: Palacio Clavijero, the Conservatory De
Las Rosas in Baroque style the seat of the "Niños
Cantores de Morelia" ("The Singing children of Morelia")
chorus; The Government Palace, that in its interior has three
murals of the Michoacan artist Alfredo Zalce; the formerly Convento
del Carmen (ex convent) and now House of Culture, the magnificent
Cathedral which has been catalogued as one of the most beautiful
in Mexico and the imposing aqueduct that has 253 arches, are just
some of points of interest of this wonderful city.
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The
city of Patzcuaro was of great importance in the history of
the state of Michoacán. Patzcuaro was center of the Purepecho
Indians and during the colonization it was transformed into
a religious center.
The Indians looked at Patzcuaro as the center, where the
gods entered and left from and to heaven. During the colonization
the Bishop Vasco de Quiroga, who was called "Tata Vasco"
by the Indians was the accepted sovereign of Patzcuaro.
Today Patzcuaro is still a jewel of colonial architecture.
All places, buildings and churches create a harmonizing ensemble
in red and white colors. The most important places of interest
are apart of the beautiful lake with its island Janitzio all
the beautiful churches and plazas, the house of the 11 patios
and the colorful life in the streets.
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Plaza
Patzcuaro
Casa de los 11 patios |
Noche
de muertos - the night of the dead in Patzcuaro on 1st and 2nd
of November |
Danza
de los viejitos in the streets of Patzcuaro |
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Santa
Clara del Cobre is a small town located 80 kilometers southwest
of Morelia, located in a mineral enriched area. It is famous for
its high quality copper work. In precolonial times there was a
great demand for copper by the Tarascan Indians, who used copper
to make chains, masks, breastplates and other items. Later the
people of Santa Clara looked for new ways to sustain their draft.
Santa Clara was named after a religious order, which settled there.
Today, the inhabitants of Santa Clara are well known jewelers
making items such as ladles, jars and plates, which are greatly
demanded. Santa Clara is a well-known center of first class handcrafts
of copper.
Santa Clara's main attractions are the Copper Museum, the
Hospital Chapel and the famous work of the craftsmen. There is
a yearly Copper Fair, which takes place in August.
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About
20 km west from Patzcuaro, is the town of Zirahuen and its beautiful
lake with the same name. This picturesque lake impresses by its
blue green water and the forests and fields along its shores.
The whole scenery creates an impressive picture of this landscape.
This lake also offers a great variety of water sports all year
round. Surrounding the lake you will find restaurants and hotels,
inviting you to stay longer.
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If
you head 20 km north of Patzcuaro you reach the town of Quiroga.
Before colonization the Indians used to cal the town Cocupao,
which means something like "the place of reception".
In 1852 the town was renamed by decree in memory of the famous
bishop Don Vasco de Quiroga.
In Quiroga you can admire lots of architectonical highlights
of the 17th century, one of it is the baroque style church "Parroquia
de San Diego de Alcalá" or the monastery which was
founded by the Franciscans order and which is decorated with impressive
hand painted porcelain tiles.
Quiroga offers a great variety of products from Michoacan.
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Tzintzuntzan:
This
old Indian pueblo of the Purepechos was formerly the capital of
the Indian Mechuacan (land of the fishermen), which today is called
Michoacan. The Purepecho came to Mechuacan in the 12th century
probably from Peru and represent still today the majority of the
inhabitants of Tzintzuntzan. You'll find here archeological sites
and a monastery of the Franciscan Order.
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