He Magic Town de Metepec, strategically located in the Toluca Valley, has a set of fantastic attractions that make it one of the most visited sites in the State of Mexico. We present a complete guide for you to enjoy Metepec in a big way.
1. Where is Metepec?
Metepec has become one of the most vibrant urban communities in the Metropolitan Area of the Toluca Valley, without losing its typical profile and its great traditions, among which pottery and the elaboration of the well-known trees of life stand out. It has viceregal buildings, squares, workshops and artisan corridors, and entertainment centers, which round off a tourist offer worthy of the category of Mexican Magical Town obtained in 2012.
2. What weather awaits me in Metepec?
Metepec enjoys an excellent climate, with an average annual temperature of 14 ° C and with such little marked variations that it almost seems that the seasons do not change. In the coldest winter months, especially December and January, the thermometer drops to 11 ° C, while in the less cool months, from May to July, it hardly rises to 17 ° C. With that wonder of coolness, no It is surprising that the inhabitants of the valley fill the bars of Metepec during the weekends to have fun over a good drink.
3. How did the town arise?
The Metepec pottery tradition began 5,000 years ago. The Matlatzinca culture reached its splendor in the territory between the years 1000 and 1500. The Spanish began the construction of the Franciscan convent in 1569, the starting point of the first Hispanic settlement. The municipality of Metepec was created in 1821 and in 1848, after the US invasion, Metepec temporarily became the capital of the State of Mexico. In 1993 the town reached the rank of urban town.
4. What are the main distances to Metepec?
Metepec integrates the Metropolitan Area of the Toluca Valley, together with Toluca, Zinacantepec, Lerma and Tenango del Valle. The distance between Toluca and Metepec is just 9 km. by the Solidaridad las Torres Boulevard and José María Morelos Street. Metepec is surrounded by large cities. Mexico City is just 74 km away. from the Magic Town, while Cuernavaca is located 89 km. and Puebla 188 km.
5. What are the main tourist attractions of Metepec?
Among the architectural attractions of Metepec are the former convent and parish of San Juan Bautista, the Calvario Church, the Juárez Park, the Bicentennial Environmental Park and the Linear Garden. The Magical Town of Metepec vibrates with its beautiful artisan tradition of clay and its trees of life. Likewise, Metepec has a tight schedule of festive events throughout the year and every weekend, it becomes the preferred place of entertainment for the inhabitants of the cities of the Toluca valley.
6. What is the former convent and parish of San Juan Bautista like?
The first mention of this convent complex in a religious document dates from 1569. From the convent of San Juan Bautista de Metepec the Spanish evangelizers left to indoctrinate in the nearby towns. The façade of the church is Baroque and is arranged in a concave manner, containing a neat ornamentation in mortar. The cloister of the convent was covered with paintings and on the walls, vaults, columns and arches it is possible to admire the remains of what was an extraordinary decoration.
7. What is the attraction of the Iglesia del Calvario?
Another of the symbols of Metepec is the temple of Calvario, a church built by the evangelizers on the Cerro de los Magueyes, on top of the shrines built by the natives. Both the facade and the interior of the temple are of neoclassical lines and from it you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Metepec. The entrance of the church is reached through a long and wide staircase with several breaks, where in December a monumental nativity is placed, which constitutes a great attraction.
8. How is the Monumental Nativity of Metepec?
This recent practice began in December 2013 within the framework of the so-called Metepec Christmas Festival. The main sites of the town are decorated with Christmas motifs, but the most anticipated for its grandeur and beauty is the setting of the monumental nativity scene on the steps of the Calvary church, with life-size human and animal figures. The manger of the birth of Jesus is in a setting of the Mexican desert, with yuccas, biznagas, cacti and organs.
9. What is there to see in Parque Juárez?
Parque Juárez is the main square of Metepec and stands out for its famous Fuente de la Tlanchana, a pre-Columbian mythical figure that symbolizes the Lady of the Sweet Waters. According to legend, this deity, a mixture of a beautiful woman and a fish, seduced men with her charms in the rivers of the area and made them disappear into the depths. The plaza also has a striking octagonal kiosk and is the setting for civic meetings in Metepec.
10. What is the Tree of Life like?
Metepec revolves around its artisan tradition of clay work, symbolized by the Tree of Life. These extraordinary low-temperature clay sculptures depict in a detailed and colorful way the creation of life according to the Bible and have both religious and decorative uses. Most of the trees of life measure between 25 and 60 centimeters, but there are some monumental ones that can take up to three years to make and are true works of art.
11. Where can I learn more about the Metepec artisan tradition?
At the Centro de Desarrollo Artesanal or Casa del Artesano, recently remodeled at the initiative of the municipal government with the collaboration of the Japanese Embassy, Metepecan potters show tourists the process of making the most emblematic clay figures, such as the Tree of the Life, the Ark of Noah and the Tlanchana. In the neighborhoods of Santiaguito, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, San Mateo and Espíritu Santo there are more than 300 artisan workshops in which families work with the doors open for visitors to admire their work. You can buy your souvenir in the artisan corridors of the town.
12. Is there a museum?
In the Santiaguito neighborhood, on Avenida Estado de México, the Museo del Barro is located, in which the most representative pieces of Metepec pottery are exhibited. Metepecan artisans regularly participate in regional and national pottery competitions, and the trees of life and other splendid winning pieces of these contests generally go on display at the Museo del Barro. There is also a large clay mural that was made by 82 primary school children.
13. What is the Bicentennial Environmental Park like?
This urban park in Metepec is located on Avenida Estado de México and was conceived to provide a place of rest and relaxation and for the practice of entertainment and outdoor sports, such as walking, jogging and riding a bicycle. It also has a small man-made lake and basketball courts. It has children's spaces and an entertainment area for pet dogs.
14. Where is the Metepec Linear Garden?
This great natural and artistic space recently inaugurated on the Toluca - Metepec - Tenango road has a length of 3.5 kilometers and goes from the Tree of Life to the bridge of the Metepec - Zacango road. Throughout the garden there are 14 squares, 8 large-format sculptures, 5 fountains, 2 areas for temporary exhibitions, walkways and pedestrian bridges. The largest work is the Puerta de Metepec, a 22-meter-high steel structure that welcomes visitors.
15. Is it true that in Metepec there is a fun trampoline site?
An attraction that is out of the ordinary in Metepec due to its novelty and exclusivity is the Sky Zone, the first indoor trampoline park in the country. It is a place to not stop jumping on trampolines, with basketball courts for you to make the most incredible baskets and dunks, and foam pools for you to throw yourself safely. There are fun games and the place is being used for truly original birthday celebrations.
16. What are the great fiestas of Metepec?
The most striking festival in Metepec takes place on the Tuesday following Pentecost Sunday, when the so-called Paseo de los Locos takes place, within the framework of the San Isidro Labrador festivities. Beautifully decorated floats circulate through the streets, while many men are disguised as women and the participants are giving the public fruits, breads, tamales and small crafts. For the occasion beautiful altarpieces in seeds dedicated to the saint of the farmers are made.
17. What about the nightlife of Metepec?
Another of the great attractions of Metepec is its nightlife, the most intense and varied in the Toluca Valley. In Metepec you have establishments for different entertainment options, from small and quiet places where you can have a drink in pleasant company, to places full of people, music and entertainment where you can have a night out. Some of the most popular places are La Culpable, Gin Gin, Barezzito, Molly, St. Pauls Irish Pub, La 910 and Billar El Gato Negro. A must-see is Bar 2 de Abril.
18. What is special about Bar 2 de Abril?
This traditional Mexican bar has operated uninterruptedly for 84 years, since it was opened in 1932. It is located in the center of Metepec, one block from the main square and on its walls there is an old decorative mural that has been restored several times and that Visitors will admire while they enjoy the restaurant's star drink, the famous "garañona." It is a green anise-based liquor, which contains at least 14 herbs and whose recipe is the best kept secret in town.
19. What are the main cultural events?
In Metepec there is never a lack of cultural or festive event. The Andy Fest is a mini live music festival sponsored by promoter Andrea Soto. Metepec Canta is a show that takes place in Parque Juárez on the second weekend of March, with the participation of local rock, trova and other genres. On weekends, the City Hall Music Band delights the public with its varied repertoire. Other striking festive events are the New Fire Ritual and the Festival of Love.
20. How is the Ritual of the New Fire?
The New Fire ceremony was part of the Mexica rituals and was held annually and with other frequencies, depending on the calendars and astronomical events, to honor the Sun, its movements and the balance of the universe. Every March 21, the equinoctial day in which the Sun reaches its zenith, a ceremony allusive to the fire ritual is performed on the esplanade of Calvario de Metepec, in which the center of attention is the Aztec dances presented in a poetic context. and historical.
21. When is the Festival of Love?
Picture ofmariachitequila.com/
This event takes place on the Sunday closest to February 14, Valentine's Day and Valentine's Day. The master of ceremonies opens the show by reading the legend of Saint Valentine and then typical dances, groups of danzones, mariachis, rondallas and other musical groups are presented, closing with a popular dance enlivened by nationally renowned orchestras.
22. What do you eat in Metepec?
In the typical food of Metepec, some of the most renowned delicacies of the Toluca Valley and the state of Mexico stand out, such as oven-roasted lamb barbecue, green chorizo, charal tamales, rabbit mixote and mushroom soup. Every Monday a tianguis is held in which the main dish is the Plaza Salad, which has several ingredients, such as barbecue, beef leg, acocil, pork rinds, tomato, green chili and onion. This salad is the filling of the popular plaza taco. To drink you have the Garañona and the Mosquito of Toluca.
23. What are the best hotels in Metepec?
Holiday Inn Express Toluca Galerías Metepec, located on the Bulevar Toluca - Metepec, has careful attention, comfortable rooms and an excellent breakfast. La Muralla, located in Metepec on the Toluca - Ixtapan de la Sal highway, is a place of personalized attention, with excellent facilities and a renowned restaurant. The Best Western Plus Gran Marqués, at Paseo Tollocán 1046, has comfortable executive rooms. Other options are the Gran Hotel Plaza Imperial, on the Mexico - Toluca highway, the BioHotel and the Hotel Gran Class.
24. What restaurants do you recommend?
In the line of elegant restaurants we can mention the Sonora Grill Prime Metepec, a steakhouse; Casa la Troje, specialized in Mexican food and located on Paseo San Isidro in the Santiaguito neighborhood; and Almacén Porteño, an Argentine meat restaurant located in Torre Zero on Avenida Benito Juárez. In the field of the cheapest stoves, there are Country Ribs Metepec, in Paseo Sur, San Isidro, a cafe and bar that serves ribs, hamburgers and other dishes; Kingbuffalo, at Leona Vicario 1330, an appropriate place to drink a beer and eat a pizza; and Gastrofonda Molli, at Ignacio Zaragoza 222, specializing in Mexican food.
Ready to go buy your tree of life in Metepec? Are you ready to enjoy your nightlife in style? We hope that this complete guide will be of use to you in your activity program.
