Patzcuaro sits on a hilly landscape about 2 miles from the vast 13 mile long, shallow Lake Patzcuaro. The lake, dotted with a profusion of inhabited islands, is encircled along the shore by several villages whose main communication is by boat The village dwellers spend most of their time either on the lake fishing or at home producing a variety of handicrafts.
Around town. The 16th century city of Patzcuaro still uses many churches and mansions built in colonial days. Once the political seat of the Tarascan Kingdom and later an important Spanish settlement, Patzcuaro now blends the best of two heritages. At the basilica on the hill, the Colegiata, you can see the Virgin of Health a compromise entity used to bridge the gap between the pagan beliefs of the Indians and the dogma of the Church. The Virgin, made of cornstalk pith and
orchid mucilage, is revered throughout Mexico and thought to have great healing powers. The Virgin's feast day on December 8 brings visitors from miles around.
Today life in the city is remarkably the same as life was in colonial days. The Tarascan Indians practice a variety of crafts and hold frequent fiestas. Los Viejilos a dance in which men or boys hobble around on canes and wear grotesque masks to make them look like old men is a traditional dance performed frequently.
Touring.After you've seen the city and visited the Friday market and the excellent museum, you may want to take one of the excursions the region offers such as boat trips to some of the islands, and a 15 minute ride to the top of El Estribo for a view of the city and lake. Janitzio Island is a classic for photographers; the butterfly net fishermen provide ideal early morning subjects. Boat or automobile trips are available to some of the villages around the shore (Chupicuaro, Erongaricuaro). Consider taking a 12 mile trip south of Patzcuaro on paved Highway 120 to Santa Clara del Cobre (Villa Escalante), where several small copper foundries produce graceful urns, pitchers, and pots.
Shopping. Best buys in this region include lacquerikare, silver jewelry, pottery with fish designs, ceramic animals, red checked wool fabrics, woodenware, and copper. An excellent place to find everything at bargain prices is in Tzintzuntzan, a small village about halfway between Patzcuaro and Quiroga; the market is on both sides of the highway.
Specialties. At restaurants, ask for the delicate and delicious pescado blanco, a small, almost transparent whitefish caught in the lake. The fish are a nationally known delicacy of the Patzcuaro region.
For a taste of colonial life, you can stay at a enovated hacienda or a colonial style motel.
Patzcuaro sits on a hilly landscape about 2 miles from the vast 13 mile long, shallow Lake Patzcuaro. The lake, dotted with a profusion of inhabited islands, is encircled along the shore by several villages whose main communication is by boat The village dwellers spend most of their time either on the lake fishing or at home producing a variety of handicrafts.
Today life in the city is remarkably the same as life was in colonial days. The Tarascan Indians practice a variety of crafts and hold frequent fiestas. Los Viejilos a dance in which men or boys hobble around on canes and wear grotesque masks to make them look like old men is a traditional dance performed frequently.
Shopping. Best buys in this region include lacquerikare, silver jewelry, pottery with fish designs, ceramic animals, red checked wool fabrics, woodenware, and copper. An excellent place to find everything at bargain prices is in Tzintzuntzan, a small village about halfway between Patzcuaro and Quiroga; the market is on both sides of the highway.
