Forbidden Mexico

After Charlie and I finished our Peace Corps service on April 20^th, we traveled to the Mexican state of Michoacán.  Due to narco violence, we were not allowed to travel to this state as PC volunteers so we waited until our service was over to go.  While we were there, we had no problems and saw no violence.

Cathedral in Morelia, built between 1650 and 1744

The front of the cathedral

Interior of the cathedral

House where Jose Maria Morelos, a Mexican independence hero, was born

Statue of Morelos on his horse

Morelia’s aqueduct

Mural of Hidalgo and Morelos painted by Alfredo Zalce

Morelos fighting for independence

Street scene in Morelia

Main square in Patzcuaro

Another square in Patzcuaro

Street scene in Patzcuaro

Old buildings

Making copper handicrafts in Santa Clara del Cobre

Color of bowl once cooled

Hammering the outside of the bowl

The finished product

Artisan with straw products in Tzintzuntzan

Lake Zirahuen, south of Patzcuaro, which is still fairly pristine

Eating at local restaurant at the lake

Archeological site of Ihuatzio

Juliet with ruins behind her

Charlie at archeological site at Tzintzuntzan

Juliet among the ruins

Charlie with Lake Patzcuaro in background

Rooftops of Patzcuaro with lake in background

Charlie and Julie with Patzcuaro in background

The capital city of Morelia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has retained its beautiful colonial historic center with stately mansions and wide boulevards.  It was founded in 1541 and has one of the most majestic cathedrals in all of Mexico.  One of the heroes of the Mexican Independence movement, José María Morelos, was born here; many monuments and museums have been created to honor his heroism.  We enjoyed sitting in the main plaza, eating in sidewalk cafes and seeing the 17^th century aqueduct (although the one in Querétaro is more majestic).  Mexico’s last renowned muralist, Alfredo Zalce, lived in Michoacán and many of his greatest murals are located in various government buildings in Morelia.  He never sought fame, so his name isn’t very well known.

Pátzcuaro, located about 30 miles southwest of Morelia, is a place I have wanted to visit for many years.  It’s located on Lake Pátzcuaro and is surrounded by many small towns – each known for a different artisan skill.  For example, Santa Clara de Cobre is known for its beautiful hand-beaten copper plates, sinks and vases, Tzintzuntzán for its green-glazed pottery and straw products, and Quiroga for its lacquer ware.  I did buy some of these beautiful pieces, but not enough!  On November 1 and 2 this area is inundated with tourists to see the elaborate Day of the Dead graveyard ceremonies.

Besides Lake Pátzcuaro, we also visited the smaller, and more pristine, Lake Zirahuén surrounded by pine trees and colored a deep blue, and several archeological sites, including the ruins of the ancient capital of the Purépecha kingdom outside the town of Tzintzuntzán.  The state of Michoacán has many beautiful places.

About these ads

Tags: Mexico, Michoacan, Peace Corps