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Patzcuaro (PAHTZ-kwah-roh) is a small colonial gem in the state of Michoacan, a land of
immense natural beauty.
Michoacan's countryside is a vast expanse of rolling
hills, deep lakes, winding rivers and green valleys.
Patzcuaro is found on hills
above one of the lakes; Lake Patzcuaro.
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Patzcuaro is a cultural and artisan
center for the State of Michoacan, Mexico. The original name was
"Tzacapu-ansucutinpatzcuaro" that is translated as "door to heaven" or "place
where the blackness begins"
The beautiful central plaza remains a tribute to
its namesake, Vasco de Quiroga moved the capital from Tzintzuntzan to the
beautiful mountain city of Patzcuaro in 1533 and built a large basilica. He also
founded the Colegio de San Nicolas Obispo in Patzcuaro.
Volcanic activity and the state's
latitude position helps create a setting not unlike Hawaii. Rich soil supports
lush jungle-like vegetation, with spectacular mountain landscapes, and velveteen
pasturelands. The state has few large cities, but rather is a quilt of small
villages and towns that have changed little since the early 1800's . Its pace is
leisurely, its people friendly, and its Spanish colonial and indigenous heritage
rich.
This historical mountain town is an easy 3 1/2 hour drivefrom the
famous Pacific Ocean seaside resorts of Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and Troncones. Many
historical fountains adorn the city. A multitude of churches, plazas and shrines
make this a truly great historical destination. Patzcuaro is famous for its
sidewalk cafes and great restaurants. Small and large market places line the
plazas and ancient side streets. Woven tablecloths, trays, carved and finely
painted furniture, and gold laminated handwork are among the treasures to be
found in this colonial setting.
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(Click on map to enlarge)
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PATZCUARO
ARCHAEOLOGICAL & SIGHTSEEING LOCATION
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| Following along Lake Patzcuaro you can find the
Ihuatzio archaeological site, Tzintzuntzan, once the capital of the
Purepecha empire and now a major handicraft center with vegetable fiber
weaving and carved wood. It is also the site of a sixteenth century
Franciscan convent.
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| The name of this archological site comes from
the Tarascan language and means "hill of temperate climate".
To date only a small part of the site has been explored and surveyed.
This site dates earlier than sites settled by the Tarascans or the Purepechas.
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| Nearby Quiroga is an active handicrafts center
where products from nearly the entire state are sold. Santa Fe de La
Laguna, a producer of clay, black earthenware and hand painted pots,
candleholders and planters is a short distance down the road from Quiroga.
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| This archological site is located about 100 km
from the city of Morelia . Tzintzutzan is one of the largest and most
important excavation sites in the state of Michoacan. This was the capital
city of the Tarascan Empire. This site was inhabited between 1200 and
1521 A.D.
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Total visits since OCT 25, 2002!
8,526,230
*Total combined visits
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Copyright Zip
Creations 10/13/2000© Zip Creations. All rights reserved. Patzcuaro
Michoacán Mexico
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