Lugares para visitar en Pátzcuaro y sus alrededores

Hotel Mansión Iturbe in Pátzcuaro , has received Acknowledgement of Good Safety and Hygiene Practices , granted by the government of the State of Michoacán. Hotel Mansion Iturbe: Acknowledgement of Good Safety and Higyene Practices Following the guidelines established by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism of Michoacán , we have developed our safety and hygiene protocols to address the Covid-19 pandemic. In this way, we join the actions carried out jointly by the government of Michoacán and the private sector, seeking to make Michoacán a safe destination for our visitors . Patzcuaro Main Square viewed from  a balcony at Hotel Mansion Iturbe The State of Michoacán has also just received the Safe Travels Stamp awarded by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) . These protocols were developed in coordination with the World Tourism Organization and the World Health Organization . Therefore, the protocols developed by the government of Mi...

It’s vacation time and Hotel Mansion Iturbe would like to recommend you a nice festival close to Patzcuaro. The Seventh Annual Festival Internacional de Globos de Cantoya (International Cantoya Lantern Festival), held in Paracho , JULY 20-21. Thirty groups from different states – and even Colombia and Brazil – will be represented. This important festival is organized by the "Consejo para el Arte y Cultura Purépecha, Asociación Civil." In addition to the traditional release of lanterns, there will also be workshops, shows, music and dance, artisans, and – of course – FOOD! It’s an event worth seeing as part of your summer vacation! Paracho is east-northeast of Patzcuaro, accessible by Federal Route 14.        Cantoya Lanterns are a real tradition of the area, going back 100 years. The lanterns are now made of crepe paper, but were first made of newspaper. Of course, crepe paper is much more colorful and brilliant and, once...

         On May 3rd the celebration of the “Green Cross” is a VERY traditional celebration in Patzcuaro.   It’s full of color, music, joy, and dance.   It’s a day of celebration and activities with roots in the “Cruz Verde” neighborhood, that culminates with wonderful fireworks - visible from many communities - in the evening. Green Cross in Patzcuaro        This important day starts early on the morning of May 3, with celebrations of birthdays, communions, blessings of crosses, and masses.        The origins of the “Green Cross” date from the days of Don Vasco de Quiroga.   This cross was hewn by the indigineous.   At first, it was called just the “Missionary’s Cross,” but later on, people realized that the “green cross” never turned to hard wood, as would be expected.   So it was called the Green Cross.        Once t...

      On April 26th, 2012 in New York City the Mexican cuisine was once again honored in a big way – this time by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The Secretary of Mexican Tourism Gloria Guevara was there to receive the prestigious award.      The iconic Plaza Hotel was the venue for the event.   Attendees enjoyed the finest Mexican cooking with a five-course meal.   The Mexican “Chef Decana” Alicia Gironella designed the menu, which was prepared by renowned Mexican chefs, such as Enrique Olvera, Margarita Carrillo, Ana María González, Daniel Ovadia, Sergio Remolina, and Gerardo Vázquez.      Mexican cuisine, already recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible cultural heritage (ICH), is rich – figuratively and literally – for its diversity and cultural heritage, and by the ingredients that set it apart.   Significantly, the...

Deep in the Purépecha homeland of Charapan, we find the small community of Ocumicho, known for its fantastic and fanciful variations on the theme of the devil. These colorful clay figures are hand-made, and are pure mischief and imagination.   When you see one of these figures, you know beyond a shadow of doubt, “Ah! That’s from Ocumicho! No one else does it like this!” Over the years, the little demons of Ocumicho have evolved into a wildly popular piece of artisanware. They have become a particularly sought-after treasure at the famous Artisan Flea Market, held during the celebration of Night of the Dead in Pátzcuaro, and in the Palm Sunday and Holy Week events in Uruapan and Pátzcuaro. The Night of the Dead Artisan Flea Market in Pátzcuaro (around the last week of October and the first week of November) is held in the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, right across the street from Hotel Mansión Iturbe. It is here and at this time that the “best of the best” exam...

            Centuries ago, corn was – and continues to be today – the main food staple of Mexico .  But the Purépechas found a surprising, secondary use for this otherwise innocent plant:  They used it, combining it with various other local “ingredients,” in creating figures.  The Purépechas called the resulting substance “J’ATZINGUENI” – a legacy of the Purépechas to the world.  The Spanish themselves came to appreciate this “new” artistic medium. It was a custom of the mesoamericans to carry images of their gods into war; they believed the presence of the heavy and bulky figures would increase their chances of success on the battlefield.  Typically, it was the principal god who accompanied them to infuse the warriors with valor and courage.  Furthermore, they also believed that if they were defeated and the figures ended up in the hands of the victorious, the idols would wreak revenge upon them e...

      The Day of the Dead Artisan Exhibition is one of the main annual attractions in the State of Michoacan .   The rituals of the venerated ancestros celebrated in the lake region of Patzcuaro are well known, and the Artisan Exhibition , held right in front of Hotel Mansión Iturbe, is also anticipated with much enthusiasm.    The majestic Plaza Vasco de Quiroga – one of the most beautiful in Mexico – is the perfect venue for showing off the indigenous folk art of Michoacan.   Most of the techniques were either perfected or learned during the era of Don Vasco de Quiroga’s evangelism in the sixteenth century, and have been handed down from parents to their children.   The efforts of Don Vasco – “Tata Vasco,” as he is affectionately called – are never forgotten. Michoacán is outstanding in its cultural wealth, as seen through its artisanship.   The hands of the Purépechas (indigenous) craft pieces of fine work...