Day of the Dead in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
Day of the Dead in Mexico is one of the most deeply rooted events among Mexicans, and in Michoacán it is extra special, As Lake Pátzcuaro is the epicenter.
For us in Michoacán
Night of the Dead, the “feast of the souls,” is celebrated on November 1 and
2. The epicenter of this celebration are the communities of the Pátzcuaro
Lake region and one of the best known places there is undoubtedly the
island of Janitzio. But the vigil of the deceased can be seen in
different communities, and each one has its special touch.
Day of th Dead in Patzcuaro, Michoacan
More than 30 communities
celebrate the Night of the Dead in our Lake Pátzcuaro
region. Those communities include Arocutín, Cuanajo, Tzurumútaro, Ihuatzio,
Tzintzuntzan, Santa Fe de la Laguna, Erongarícuaro, Jarácuaro,
San José Uricho, and all five Islands of Lake Pátzcuaro: Janitzio,
La Pacanda, Yunuen, Uranden, and La Tecuena. So take your time, and
investigate which ones are of most interest for you to visit.
Warning: It is not unusual for family members to spend the entire evening
of November 1 – or a large part of it – at the gravesites of their deceased
beloveds. Please respect their space if you visit a gravesite at night.
Pátzcuaro is the ideal place to live this
experience, and one that also has incidentally become the artisan center of Michoacán, with its already recognized artisan tianguis (artisan
fair) of Noche de Muertos, and the famous artisan competition, which
showcases the greatest architects of our regional folk art.
Day of the Dead Artisan Competion in Pátzcuaro
Travelers from all over the
world congregate here to participate in the adventure, and to experience how the Day of the Dead is celebrated in our region, which has been
recognized with the designation of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by
UNESCO.
Part of “experiencing Muertos”
is understanding the ofrendas (something like individualized
memorials), using them as a model to create your own ofrendas, and
be able to participate in this tradition that has prevailed in the Lake Pátzcuaro region since ancient times.
Once in our pueblo mágico, it
is important to know what to do during the celebration of Day of the Dead. The center of action for this important time is the Plaza
Vasco de Quiroga, right in front of our Hotel Mansion Iturbe.
Day of th Dead in Patzcuaro, Michoacan
In this square, also known as
the Plaza Grande, you will find an enormous fountain dedicated
to Don Vasco de Quiroga, and is where the annual Tianguis
Artesanal (Artisan Fair), which is one of the favorite attractions of
our guests, is held.
On the west side of the
plaza, in the Portal Hidalgo, known as the Portal of the Presidency because the
City Council of Pátzcuaro used to be there, you can appreciate the
exhibition and sale of sugar and chocolate skulls, a sweet tradition for this
time of year. Watch out, though. Don’t put these sugar figures in
moist environments (like bathrooms), because they will decay rapidly.
Sugar Skulls a mexican tradition for Day of the Dead
You will find some typical
but large ofrendas, in various locations, including Casa de los Once Patios, the Museo de Populares Artes (Museum of
Folk Art) and the Public Library offerings. You will also find such ofrendas in
different houses and establishments of Pátzcuaro, and in Hotel
Mansion Iturbe.
For music lovers, every year
there is a very special event. The Symphony Choir and Orchestra of
Michoacán comes to the Basílica of Pátzcuaro normally at midnight of
November 1, to perform one of the world’s most famous Requiems.
Always a crowd pleaser!
Live and enjoy the Day of the Dead tradition in Mexico, knowing that Pátzcuaro is the ideal
place to observe this ancient event. Come to Michoacán and
celebrate this important festivity with us!
Day of the Dead in Pátzcuaro Lake Region
*Text, pictures & video property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.
We invite you to check more post in our blog, you will find information about Pátzcuaro and its surroundings, that we hope will be useful for your next trip to our colonial town in México.
Here are some post that we suggest you:
How to get to Janitzio from Pátzcuaro
Other Pueblos Mágicos near Pátzcuaro
Three Archeaological Sights near Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Pátzcuaro, Mich.
México
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Tels: +52 (434) 342 0368 / 342 3628
Fax: +52 (434) 342 3627
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