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This region of Mexico due west of the capital is home to one of Mexico's most beautiful colonial treasures as well as a stunning lake and traditional villages that celebrate a big Mexican festival in unique style.
Morelia is considered the aristocrat of the colonial cities. You will see a few modern buildings but mostly the architecture remains in the style of Old Spain. Wide polished-stone streets and stately buildings give this city a special attraction. Named Valladolid initially by Mexico's first viceroy, it was renamed Morelia after the War of Independence in honour of a local hero, Jose Maria Morelos. The focus of the city and of local life is the lovely Plaza de los Martires, flanked on one side by the cathedral, constructed of pink stone. It took more than 200 years to build and is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.
Close by is the delightful town of Patzcuaro located on the shores of the lake of the same name. Once the capital of the Purepecha indians, this attractive town with its central plaza is known for its famous butterfly-net fishing of white fish from Lake Patzcuaro. On Friday mornings, an indian market arrives in the square to sell ceramics, wood carvings, copper, woven goods and even furniture.
Patzcuaro and Janitzio Island (in the middle of the Lake) are most famous for their Day of the Dead celebrations on 1 and 2 November. Rather than grieving for lost loved ones, families remember and celebrate their lives on this day when it is said that the spirits of the deceased are said to return to the realm of the living. Small boats carry people to the island to visit the cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers and candles for an all-night vigil.
This region is also the gateway for trips out to the neighbouring highlands to see one of the world's most unusual migrations from January to March, when huge numbers of colourful Monarch butterflies migrate from the USA and Canada to this area of Mexico - a wonderful riot of colour as they arrive in the New Year.
To plan your holiday to the Morelia and Patzcuaro, call our Latin America specialists today for more information.
