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102 kilometers from Morelia

This city, the second most important of the state of Michoacan, is located 52 kilometers from Patzcuaro and 102 kilometers from Morelia. A direct route is the Morelia – Patzcuaro - Uruapan highway; but it can also be reached by the Federal Road Number 14 passing through Tingambato.

Another alternative is by the Federal Road No 15, taking the detour at Carapan and passing through the towns of Cheran, Aranza, Paracho, and Capacuaro.

Before reaching Capacuaro there is another detour which leads to the town of Angahuan and to the Volcano Paricutin, which erupted on February 20, 1943; also to the remains of the Temple of San Juan Parangaricutiro, that, along with the town, was covered with lava. Zacan is only a few minutes away.

A very acceptable interpretation, affirms that the name of Uruapan comes from the purepecha word Uruapani, which means “the flowering and bearing fruit of a plant at the same time”; this has been translated as “place where everything blooms”. Due to this reason it has been qualified as “the orchard of Michoacan” or “World capital of the avocado”; and when it reached the rank of city in 1858 it was called “Uruapan of the Progress”. Nevertheless, the more deserved title is “the true cradle of the lacquer”, due to the production of trays, cups, masks, boxes, and other wooden objects, artistically decorated with this technique that goes back to the pre-Colombian period. Such technique consists on covering each piece with a mixture of vegetal and animal oils with pulverized minerals; when it dries, we get a hard and shiny surface, where decorative motives are drawn, and then we stuff them with the same basic component but of different colors according to our needs. The achieved designs reveal the unique mastery and the artistic sensibility of the craftsmen from Uruapan districts.

The Uruapan zone had pre-Hispanic settlements. At the arrival of the Spaniards the Franciscan monks started evangelization. Among them, Fray Juan de San Miguel was distinguished, due to his evangelizing labor, the unification of the towns of this region, his town-planning work and the creation of the districts of Uruapan; he is considered the founder of the city in 1534.

Among its multiple attractions, Uruapan has magnificent historical monuments like the Franciscan Parish Church that conserves part of its XVI century walls, and a Plateresque style front that was originally on the principal façade; indeed worthy of admiring. The Huatapera and the chapels of the districts of La Magdalena, San Francisco (better known as San Francisquito), San Juan Bautista, San Pedro, San Miguel and Santiago. Art pieces of important artists born in Michoacan are found in different points of the city, like Alfredo Zalce’s paintings at the school Manuel Ocaranza and at the Civil Hospital Dr. Jesus Silva, and the mural of Manuel Perez Coronado in the National Park.

Festivities:

• March 19 th: Festival of St. Joseph in the district of the same name
• March-April: Artisan art festival in Main Square
  It traditionally takes place on Palm Sunday. The artisan and regional suit contest takes place within this event.
• June 24th: Feast of St. John the Baptist
• June 22th: Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
• September: There are Music Bands and Dances; sale of antojitos and fireworks
• November 2-5: Annual Environment Fair takes place in the National Park
• November: Avocado Fair
  

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Altitude above sea level: 1,620 meters
Temperature Maximum: 38° C Minimum: 8° C
Moderate and tropical with rain in the summer

 

Handcrafts:
Pieces of Work in shellacs, plates, trays, and wooden boxes are artistically decorated with a technique that goes back to the pre-Colombian period, wooden masks, textiles, cane paste, and cloth fabric toys.

Gastronomy:
Churipo with corundas, carnitas, uchepo, tamale meal and tamarind atole

We recommend visiting:

1. The Huatapera
   An antique hospital whose foundation is attributed to Fray Juan de San Miguel; it is part of those institutions initiated by Vasco de Quiroga, which were the center of the social, educative, religious, and support life of the towns of the antique bishopric of Michoacan. It combines the Plateresque and Mudejar style, the fine relieves of the façade of its chapel were carved by indigenous hands. The whole of buildings has a magnificent patio where an atrium cross stands, as well as an L-shaped corridor with portals, built with the traditional materials of the region: wood, shingle, tile, volcanic rock and quarry.
2. The Market of “Antojitos”
   All the dishes of the region can be enjoyed in this typical place located behind La Huatapera. The facilities are hygienic and their prices are accessible.
3. Temple of San Francisco
   Its origins go back to the foundation of group of hospitals that gave origin to the city. Even though it has been restored multiple times, in the rear part it conserves a plateresque style facade worthy of admiration.
4. Martyrs’ Square
   It is located in front of the Temple of San Francisco; it takes its name from the monument set up there in 1893 to honor the memory of the Martyrs of Uruapan, five republicans, among them the Generals Carlos Salazar and Jose Ma. Arteaga, sacrificed by the imperialists on October 21, 1865.
5. Municipal Museum “Eduardo Ruiz”
   It exhibits several objects from pre-Hispanic and later periods, as well as photographs, prints, manuscripts, and other things that belonged to the historian and literate Eduardo Ruiz, native of Uruapan. The museum shares the building with the Cultural House of the city.
6. Regional House of the Tourist
   Place where the craftsmen of the region of Uruapan exhibit and sell their handicraft production, among them the “Coruchas”, textiles, clay and a great variety of products made from wood emphasizing the technique of “maque” (laquered).
7. National Park “Eduardo Ruiz “
   It is the only National Park in Mexico, inside the limits of the city. Here we find the Cupatitzio River, word from the purepecha language that means “the river that sings”, which is famous for the beauty of its flora, its crystal clear waters; the legend of the “Devil’s Knee” that the local children narrate, was born here.
8. Handcraft Market
   It is located in front of the National Park, it offers a variety of lacquered wooden objects, regional basketwork, and a lot of other handicrafts from nearby towns, such as decorative objects, textiles, and musical instruments, including the renowned guitars of Paracho.
9. San Pedro’s factory
   This factory was established in the last third of the XIX century. Though in low quantities, it still continues its textile production with looms and machinery that date back to the beginnings of the XX century. Nowadays it functions as the Convention Center.
10. The most narrow house of the world
    It is registered in the Guiness Book of Records. It measures only 1.40m x 7.70m