Morelia World Heritage Site

By Liliana Rodriguez Before the Spanish Conquer, the region that is now Morelia was known as Guayangareo valley and it was inhabited by a native group called the pirindas. The city was founded in 1541, but it received de name of Valladolid until 1577. In 1582, it replaced Patzcuaro as Capital of the Province of Mechoacan. During the 17th century Morelia experienced a period of growth and development; the convents of San Francisco and San Agustin were built during the first years, then the ones of El Carmen, La Merced…

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A magic Town named Patzcuaro

Danza de los Viejitos

By Liliana Rodriguez The origins of the city now considered “magic town” have to be traced back to the 1324. It was the first capital of the Purepecha Empire, which was replaced later by Tzintzuntzan. After the Spanish conquer, the bishopric of Michoacan was founded in 1538 with Vasco de Quiroga as the first bishop. The next year, he managed to make Patzcuaro the capital of the province and the see. Vasco de Quiroga favoured the increment of population by inviting many Indigenous and Spanish families. This happened around 1540,…

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Tzintzuntzan, the city of humingbirds

By Liliana Rodriguez HISTORY The City of Hummingbirds (translated from Purepecha to English) was the capital and the most important ceremonial center of the Purepecha Empire, because this place was were all the tribute was received. It was the biggest and most populated city in the whole region. After the Spanish Conquer, it was given the title of Capital City of the Province of Michoacan in 1523. A few years later, Vasco de Quiroga moved the capital to Patzcuaro. The city lost its social and economic importance after 1539, becoming…

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Foreigner´s Will in Michoacan

Mexico´s formal name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States). The United Mexican States are a federation of thirty-one free, sovereign, autonomous and independent states, and the Federal District. All states have the right to create their own constitution. Mexico City is the Federal District, seat of the government (powers of the Union) and capital of the United Mexican States. The city is coextensive with the Federal District territorially and administratively. If the federal government moves to another city, the Federal District would be transformed into another state of the…

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Doña Paca Restaurant in Patzcuaro Michoacan

By Liliana Elena González @mexatua I liked Doña Paca Restaurant since the first time I went there and tested Churipo (a purepecha dish). Mansion Iturbe´s restaurant has been my favorite in Patzcuaro for about 7 years. It has a delicious selection of authentic dishes from Michoacan. A couple of weeks ago I was invited by Doña Margarita (the owner) to try a new menu:  shrimp patties for starters (tortitas de camaron) with 3 salsas: green sauce, morita chilli sauce and peron chilli sauce, Patzcuaro style fish with chayotes au gratin…

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Zirahuén: Mexico’s Walden Pond

By Linda Breen Pierce When I first set eyes on the pure, crystal blue waters of Lago (lake) Zirahuén in the central highlands of Mexico, my stomach did a nose dive. How could such striking alpine beauty exist in a country known for its beaches, desserts and low lying vegetation? Lago Zirahuén, surrounded by hills forested with pine, oak and ash trees, is a little known treasure in the state of Michoacán. A 20-minute drive on a well-maintained highway blessed with gorgeous views of forest and hillsides will bring you…

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Morelia the Cultural Jewel in Michoacan

By Lucille Arneson When I decided to retire, I knew I wanted some kind of an adventure offering different prospects of activity. When in college, I studied French; it seemed a natural, as after all, I was an art major and in love with the French Impressionists! When I moved to California and encountered the Spanish Missions built by Friar Junipero Serra, I found another love; this time in Spanish! I had one of those “déjà vu” moments that made me think I’d been there before. It was a very…

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Reflections on living with violence in Mexico

By Linda Pierce, As I write this, I hear the sound of helicopters overhead from my house 2 blocks from the main plaza in Morelia. It is been a frequent sound all day today, a not surprising sound after explosions last night at El Grito celebration in the main plaza, resulting in a reported 8 deaths and about 100 wounded. As Jennifer Rose opined in her blog , Morelia lost its innocence last night. We spent several hours at El Grito celebration last night, but didn´t have the stamina to…

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Mexatua Tour Day 2: Discovering Zirahuen

By Lucille Arneson Zirahuén Forest and Resort After a Continental breakfast at the Hotel Xandesti, we set out for our second day exploring the area, first going to the Zirahuén Forest and Resort. The only quick and easy way to get there is by boat across the deep blue, clean waters of Lake Zirahuén, a most beautiful lake, surrounded by forests of many shades of green. While bobbing in the boat, we were treated to soft drinks and marshmallows. I chose a Coca Cola, because of its ability to quiet…

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