Tlalpujahua

Tlalpujahua is known also as Tlalpujahua de Rayón in honor of the five Rayón brothers who were important to the Independence of Mexico. The most famous of these was Ignacio López Rayón (1773-1832). His former home is today a museum dedicated to the lives of the five. The original Nahuatl name, tlalpujahua means simply place of spongy ground.

The little town was a prominent mining site, especially for gold and silver for more than 300 years. Somehow, that energy was later put toward the production of Christmas ornaments - an occupation for which the town is still famous across all of Mexico. It may even be slightly more famous than the neighboring town of El Oro, some ten kms east in Mexico State.  

Today people visit prior to the holidays to stock up on better ornaments, glittery crystal bobbles, and spun glass in every variety. But Tlalpujahua sparks up the Christmas lights in the shadow of the Our Lady of Carmen church. Deep and Gothic feeling, the Dos Estrellas mine museum welcomes visitors to the full experience of the old mines, and with truly striking newer murals, paintings, and documentary evidence. The museum is about 15 minutes from the center of town. 

A little further, the Parque Nacional Rayón is the beginning of the giant butterfly reserve that really takes off to the south and west. Here, visitors take to the hiking trails and learn the important history of the park, its lakes, and its forests. 

Tlalpujahua is some two hours west of the state capital at Morelia. Many visitors will end up here after a sojourn through the world famous Butterfly Sanctuaries. A mere 15 minutes from El Oro, many guests will arrive from there on the same trip. El Oro gets direct bus service from Mexico City and Toluca and even from Querétaro to the north. The location is perfect, but the trip often has rewards all its own.