Located north of CDMX, this Magical Town of the State of Mexico houses one of the greatest treasures of the New Spain baroque: the Temple of San Francisco Javier. Discover it and admire its spectacular architecture!
Although it is located a few kilometers from Mexico City, Tepotzotlán is a very quiet place that still keeps that touch of the province. Among its great attractions is the Former Convent of San Francisco Javier, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which also houses the National Museum of the Viceroyalty, one of the best in the country. In addition, in the market you can try delicious snacks and buy handicrafts in the market; in its surroundings discover an impressive aqueduct and an ecotourism park; and, in December, be part of its famous shepherds.
Typical
The artisans are dedicated to embossing, talavera, backstrap loom and goldsmithing, although there are also blacksmith workshops. On weekends a tianguis with furniture, talavera, baskets, garments, leather goods and a rug; while in the Crafts Square You will find clay objects such as miniature chapels and animal figures.
Plaza de la Cruz
It is the main square of the town and in it where you can see a stone atrial cross that has different images of the Passion of Christ carved. Its kiosk and portals also stand out.
In front of the Municipal Palace is the Parish of San Pedro Apóstol, which has a neoclassical atrial portal and has baroque altarpieces painted by Miguel Cabrera. In the second section of the main nave is the Chapel of the Virgin of Loreto which has a classical façade. At the back of the temple are The Dressing Room of the Virgin and the Chapel The Reliquary of Saint Joseph, recognized as the highest expressions of the art of New Spain.
Former Convent of San Francisco Javier
From the entrance to Tepotzotlán it draws attention for its imposing façade. This 18th century construction is one of the most representative of the Churrigueresque style in Mexico. Its portal has an ornamentation that extends to the two bodies of the tower, where the use of the stipe column is the most outstanding feature.
Currently, the former convent houses the National Museum of the Viceroyalty.
National Museum of the Viceroyalty
Part of the charm of Tepotzotlán is in this enclosure located in what was the Colegio de San Francisco Javier, which since 1919 has sheltered around 15 thousand pieces, which include important and valuable collections of objects related to the colonial history of the country. It preserves a sample of twenty paintings by the famous New Spain artist Cristóbal de Villalpando, as well as creations by Juan Correa, Martín de Vos and Miguel Cabrera.
The museum houses objects of religious and civil use sculpted in wood, wax and maize cane paste. It houses a collection of silver utensils, images carved in ivory related to trade with the Orient, ceramics, armor, feather art, textiles, weapons, furniture and a vast library with more than 4,000 copies, many of them incunabula.
In the museum there are other no less valuable spaces such as the old one Cloister of the Aljibes with canvases recounting the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Cloister of the Naranjos with its octagonal fountain, the Domestic Chapel with its beautiful inlaid wooden gate, the room of the Crowned Nuns dedicated to female convent life, the original source of the so-called Waterfall, its beautiful gardens and the viewpoint where it is possible to appreciate this magical town and its surroundings.
Finally, we recommend the Stories and Legends tour, organized by the Tourist Office; the guides are disguised and take you through the streets of the Historic Center while they narrate stories and myths of the town.
Sabino spring
It is located 16 kilometers from Tepotzotlán, in the center of the former Hacienda de San Nicolás Tolentino de Lanzarote. Although the building is private property, you will be able to see a huge juniper tree (ask for the legends!) From whose trunk a fresh water spring sprouts that later becomes the Lanzarote River. It has swimming pools, food sales, camping area and a children's play area; and it is the perfect place for a picnic and cycling.
Site Arches
This construction from the early seventeenth century is located 29 kilometers away. The Xalpa aqueduct was ordered to do to bring water to the homonymous farm. You can travel it from end to end, climb the hanging bridges, rent a horse at the ecotourism center or go cycling, hiking and zip lining.
Xochitla Ecological Park
It is the perfect place to spend a day with the family. It has a bike path, lake, miniature golf, playgrounds and a train that goes around. In addition, in its beautiful gardens you can fly kites.
Tepeji del Rio
It is located 30 kilometers away. You can see the Former Convent and Parish of San Francisco de Asís, the Church of San Bartolomé, the Ex Hacienda de Caltengo and the archaeological zone The treasure.
The Pastorelas of Tepotzotlán they are famous nationally. The staging is directed by Roberto Sosa, who has been in charge of the project for more than 30 years. Among other works, Don Roberto has directed more than 25 plays and 15 soap operas.
