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We're written a little already about Tepotzotlán. This image snagged with thanks from newzion.wordpress.com

We’ve written just a little already about Mexico’s Fabulous Pueblos Magicos. Of course, San Miguel de Allende is among the very best known. Changes in Latitude has a good – and very recent – rundown on the other Pueblos Magicos here, but today I want to talk about what I think is one of the least appreciated and least well known – at least among foreign tourists.

TepotzOtlán should NOT be confused with Tepoztlán, in the state of Morelos, another beautiful Pueblo Magico. The difference you see is just that one “O.” Tepotzotlán was declared a Pueblo Magico in 2002 and has earned it’s right to be among the most Mexican of Mexican tourist destinations.

The  name, Nahuatl in origin, means “Next to the hunchbacked one”, as the villages in the area were surrounded by small hump-shaped hills.

The history of the area is as long as that of Mexico and includes mixed and varied populations of Otomy and Chichimeca peoples as as well as a later influx of Spanish conquerors and the accompanying Jesuit Friars.

The Arcos del Sitio, thanks to MexicoMaxico.com. Click for other views and to view the originals.

Arriving there in 1580, the Jesuits quickly established the Jesuit Colleges in Tepotzotlán which has been on the list of tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2001. You can read a much more extensive description by following the link.

Today the former Jesuit Colleges house the Museo Nacional del Virreinato (the National Museum of the Viceroyalty) – a subject to which we will be returning!  For now, let’s just say it houses an incredible collection of art and colonial lore – including more retablo painting than probably anywhere else. But the Jesuits also built here the Temple of San Francisco Javier and the incredible aqueduct known as the Arcos del Sitio dating from 1760.

The Sierra de Tepotzotlán - which towers above the lake and dam below are a popular site for Extreme Bicyclists and casual bikers too. We snagged this photo (with thanks) from Bikemx.net

Across the highway from Tepotzotlán – of course – is Parque Xichitla, but once your off the Querétaro highway – on the west side – you may want to check out the beautiful and natural Presa de la Concepción, or “La Concha”, one of Mexico’s all too rare lakes. The other in the area of course is the Lago de Guadalupe. Presa de la Concepción is about a twenty minute drive down the Carretara del Arenal-Tepotzotlán and provides plenty of space for outdoor activities, and many visitors will stay at the cabins in the nearby pueblo of San Miguel Cabañas, within the Fraccionamiento Las Cabañas.

Of course – some great hotels like the Hotel City Express Tepotzotlán or in the Hotel Tepotzotlán Mansion are also available right in Tepotzotlán itself.

Just 15-20 minutes from Cuautitlán-Izcalli, I’ll be returning within a few weeks to cover at least one of the Museums and some other interesting places in and around Satelite and the northwest suburbs of Mexico City.
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