Jalpan de Serra began almost 300 years ago around the first Christian mission built on Mexican soil by the famous Fray Junípero Serra. Today is a Magic Town that brings together different tourist attractions, which we present to you in this complete guide.
1. Where is Jalpan de Serra?
Jalpan de Serra is the head of the Queretaro municipality of the same name, located in the northeastern part of the state, forming part of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. The head has one of the two missions of the municipality that were declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UN, for its beauty and history. Jalpan de Serra was elevated to the category of Mexican Magical Town to develop a tourist trend based on its architectural and archaeological heritage, and its beautiful places.
2. What is the climate of the town?
Jalpan de Serra is located 908 mm above sea level and its climate is warm and somewhat humid. The annual average temperature is 23 ° C, which rises to the range of 25 to 28 ° C in the hottest period, which runs from May to September. It begins to cool in October and in December it is already around 18 ° C, an average temperature that remains until January and part of February. The rainiest month in September and then the period June - August. Between December and March it hardly rains.
3. What are the main distances?
To go from Santiago de Querétaro, the state capital, to Jalpan de Serra, you have to travel 192 km. heading northeast through Querétaro 100 and México 120. The city of Guanajuato is 338 km. traveling towards Irapuato, Celaya and Santiago de Querétaro. Pachuca de Soto is 376 km away. and from the capital of Hidalgo you have to travel to Santiago de Querétaro. Mexico City is 390 km away. of the Magical Town of Jalpan de Serra.
4. What are the main historical features of the town?
The pre-Columbian settlers of the area were of Olmec origin and in the 13th century the Pames settled. The Spanish began the conquest of the Sierra Gorda in the 1530s and in 1750 Fray Junípero Serra arrived, who would be the great promoter of the missions that gave life to the territory during the viceregal era. In 1904 Jalpan reached the rank of city and in 1976 the "Serra" was added to its name, in honor of Fray Junípero.
5. What are the attractions that stand out in Jalpan de Serra?
The Franciscan Mission of Santiago Apóstol and the others that were built nearby by the indefatigable initiative of Fray Junípero Serra, constitute a group of first-rate attractions in Jalpan. Other must-see places are the Historical Museum of the Sierra Gorda, the Tancama Archaeological Zone, the Jalpan Dam, as well as the caves, rivers and other spaces for ecotourism. All complemented with the rich gastronomy of Queretaro and with the interesting work of the Jalpian artisans.
6. How is the Franciscan Mission of Santiago Apóstol?
The missionary temple of Jalpan was completed in 1758 by Fran Junípero Serra and was consecrated to the Apostle Santiago. On the facade of the church are the images of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, as well as the coat of arms of the five wounds and that of the Franciscan order. In the inner frame of the door are the images of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, while in the lower part of the facade there is a Spanish-Mexican double-headed eagle. Curiously, in the place of the façade where the sculpture of the Apostle Santiago was, a clock was placed.
7. What can I see in the Historical Museum of the Sierra Gorda?
This institution located on one side of the square operates in one of the oldest buildings in the town, built in the 16th century by Fray Juan Ramos de Lora and was originally the Jalpan Fort. After its period as a military fortress, it was the Jalpan prison and finally in 1991 it became a place to show the historical and cultural heritage of the Sierra Gorda queretana, through objects, images and documents.
8. Are there other buildings of interest in the town?
On one side of the temple is a building that was part of the Franciscan Mission of Santiago Apóstol and that was the scene of an important episode in Republican history, since General Mariano Escobedo was imprisoned there during the War of the Reform. Escobedo was freed by a safe-conduct granted by the indigenous imperialist general Tomás Mejía and later the building became the Jalpan de Serra post office. Another building of interest is the old Melchor Ocampo school, located in front of the main garden and in which it is planned to install a cultural center
9. What attractions do the other nearby missions have?
In the Mission of Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol, the façade stands out, the most elaborate of the Queretaro Franciscan missions. On this cover the choral window, the images of San Joaquín and Santa Ana and the large crosses at the top are distinguished. The façade of the Mission of Santa María de las Aguas de Landa has three sections with images of saints and San Miguel Arcángel at the top. Other beautiful missions near Jalpan are San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco and San Miguel Concá
10. What can I do in the Jalpan Dam?
This beautiful body of water is located less than 2 km. of Jalpan. The dam is frequented for sport fishing, mountain biking, walking and observing biodiversity. The best way to appreciate the flora and fauna of the place is by taking a boat or kayak ride. In 2004, the dam was added to the prestigious Ramsar list as a wetland of global importance for the life of migratory birds.
11. What does the Archaeological Zone of Tancama have?
It is located 11 km. of Jalpan and was a settlement of the Huasteca culture, reaching its maximum splendor between the 8th and 10th centuries. It was a ceremonial and astronomical center formed by three uneven squares and several buildings, among which the Building of the Hooks, the of the Blue Snake, the Manta Ray Thorns and the Skulls. Since the site was excavated and conditioned while preserving the trees to the maximum, the walk through Tancama is shady and pleasant.
12. What stands out in archaeological buildings?
The Building of the Hooks is the one that shows the best stone work and receives its name from the copper hooks found in the place. The Blue Snake Building is circular in shape and in it were human remains from the second century, as well as pieces of ceramics and obsidian. The Mantarray Thorns Building takes its name from a buried character who among his offerings has a thorn of this fish, something rare in the area, so it is assumed that he was an important figure. The Skull Building is basically a pantheon.
13. Where can I practice outdoor sports?
Jalpan and its surroundings offer varied options for the practice of sports and ecological entertainment. The Sierra Gorda has different environments for hiking, such as the route along the banks of the Jalpan River and the routes to the caves in the area, such as Puente de Dios, Cueva de la Diosa Cachum, Cueva del Aguacate and other interesting caves. Cyclists have the routes to the Jalpan dam and the old road to Tancama. Biodiversity observers have the facility of the eco-lodges in the mountains, which offer wildlife watching tours, mainly birds.
14. What is there of interest in the caves?
The Cueva del Puente de Dios, located 3 km. from Jalpan, it is a place of great beauty that can be reached by walking along the shore of the dam. The Cueva del Agua is the most interesting, but also the most difficult to access. It is located near the town of Valle Verde and has an interior with dammed water and formations of stalactites and stalagmites. To get to the Cueva del Agua you have to walk half an hour from Valle Verde, preferably with a mountain guide. In Cueva de la Diosa Cachum, located 10 km. from Jalpan, this pame deity was worshiped, who was the mother of the sun, of the rain and of the crops.
15. How is the crafts of Jalpan?
Each community in the municipality of Jalpan de Serra has its own craft specialty. The pottery comes mainly from Soledad de Guadalupe and the most manufactured pieces are cups, plates and vases. The palm is worked by the craftsmen of Nuevas Flores, turning it into fruit bowls, vases and piggy banks. In El Rincón de Tancoyol there are some fine saddlers who make cases for phones and pocket knives, belts and purses. All these pieces are obtained in the handicraft shops of Jalpan de Serra.
16. What are the main gastronomic products?
Jalpense food brings together all the exquisite culinary art of the Sierra Gorda. The cured serrana; the zacahuil, which is a huge tamale; acamayas (river prawns) and gorditas are just a few examples of the delicacies that await you in Jalpa de Serra. The community of Acatitlán del Río has specialized in the artisanal transformation of guava, making ate, rolls and liquor. Rincón de Tancoyol produces excellent honey from bees. They also serve a magnificent coffee from the nearby municipality of Landa de Matamoros.
17. What are the main hotels in Jalpan de Serra?
Misión Jalpan, on Avenida Fray Junípero, is located in the central square and is praised as a simple, clean and pleasant accommodation, apart from its excellent location. Hotel María del Carmen, in Independencia 8, you are also in front of the main square, right in front of the kiosk, it has spacious rooms, it offers packages with a buffet-style breakfast and its restaurant is in line with traditional Queretaro cuisine. Hotel Sierra Express is located in the San José neighborhood and has excellent facilities. You can also stay at Posada Karina and Hotel Restaurant Bar Mesón de Caporales.
18. Where am I going to eat?
Tapanco’S Restaurant, at km. 2 towards Río Verde, is a country house that offers the typical Queretaro dishes in an environment shaded by two huge trees. El Aguaje del Moro, at Andador Vicente Guerrero 8 on one side of the main square, is a place with cheap prices, simple and well attended. In the seafood line is Seafood That Makes Homes Happy. Las Carretas is a cool, pleasant and affordable place, on the avenue that goes to the dam.
We hope this guide encourages you to go for the first time or to visit Jalpan de Serra again. See you in another opportunity to continue walking through the wonderful Mexican geography.
