Bus Across Mexico » Mexico Cities

City of Mexico San Luis Potosi

site contributor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:59 +0000

Founded in 1576, San Luis Potosi was strategically important in colonial times and during the wars of the republican period. The patriot Francisco I. Madero, who was briefly imprisoned in the city in 1910, later named his revolutionary call to arms the Plan of San Luis Potosi. The city center has narrow cobbled streets and solid colonial architecture, but outlying areas are modern. Among its major landmarks are the San Francisco convent and Carmelite churches.

City of Mexico Asientos

site contributor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:58 +0000

Located in the northeast part of the state, Asientos was founded by Francisco Ibarra, Don Benito Gaspar de Larrañaga and Juan Ignacio de Larrañaga Salcedo. In 1548 a religious group congregated originating the settlement of Real de Minas which became Nuestra Señora de Belén de los Asientos de Ibarra, later Asientos.

Among its main buildings, the Nuestra Señora de Belén Parish, has original Miguel Cabrera paintings. It dates back from 1705 with a distinct eighteenth century architectural style. The Guadalupe Sanctuary still keeps its original cemetery and funeral home; in this chapel built in 1765, you can admire some mural paintings of the apostles, all natural size, by Teodoro Ramírez. Another attraction is the House of the Miner, where you can appreciate quarry crafts, aluminum doors and window framing.

Special mention should be given to the chapel and former convent of El Señor del Tepozán, which was built at the end of the 18th century. Next to this chapel there is another building, built in 1704, which many years ago was used as a monastery and a retirement home. On the other side of the chapel you can find the Tepozán Park, which has a playground and green areas.

Something very interesting about Asientos are the mines, which represent the progress and history of the town. On January 25, the traditional fair of the parish’s supporter is celebrated: Nuestra Señora de Belén. The miner’s day is celebrated in July along with a festival dedicated to El Señor del Tepozán.

The most representative craftsmanship of Asientos is, without a doubt, the traditional pottery done by Don Cuco, who makes excellent artifacts such as jugs, pitchers, mugs, ashtrays, candle holders, pots and flower pots.

City of Mexico Ocotlan

site contributor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:57 +0000

Basilica of Ocotlan

Ocotlán (from the Nahuatl ocotl (”pine tree”), meaning “place of pines”) is a city in the Mexican state of Tlaxcala, located in the centre of that state within the conurbation of the state capital, Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl.

The Basilica of Ocotlán, dedicated to the Virgin of Ocotlán, a 1541 Marian apparition, is a renowned site of Roman Catholic pilgrimage.

In the 2005 INEGI census, Ocotlán reported a population of 22,082, making it the largest settlement in the municipality of Tlaxcala: more populous even than the state capital, which reported 15,777.

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City of Mexico Irapuato

site contributor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:54 +0000

It is the commercial and communications center of the surrounding mining and agricultural (cereals and cattle) region. The fruits and flowers of Irapuato’s luxurious gardens are famous throughout Mexico.

City of Mexico Morelia

site contributor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:54 +0000

It is the commercial and processing center of an irrigated agricultural and cattle-raising area.

Founded as Valladolid in 1541 by Antonio de Mendoza, Morelia is built on a rocky hill and is surrounded by a fertile valley at the West edge of the central plateau. High peaks border the valley on 3 sides. The climate is warm and healthful. The city is supplied with water by an aqueduct dating from the colonial period.

The most imposing Spanish structure is the cathedral, begun in 1640; colonial architecture, some modern buildings, and shaded plazas give the city a pleasant atmosphere.

The Colegio de San Nicolas, founded (1540) in Patzcuaro and transferred in 1580 to Morelia, is the oldest institution of higher learning in Mexico.

Morelia was the birthplace of Agustin de Iturbide and of the patriot Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, for whom it was renamed in 1828.