Without a doubt, one of the traditions that has given Mexico the most fame in the world are handicrafts, and as a sign of its extraordinary beauty, it is enough to visit Tlaquepaque, a town that has lost its limits with the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and is It has established itself as one of the most important craft centers in the country.
In this picturesque corner of Jalisco, the magical talent of ancient artisans is mixed with the creative genius of renowned artists. From very early on, the streets of Tlaquepaque are filled with colors and surprising shapes, especially those of Independencia and Juárez, where more than 150 establishments display pieces of wood, blown glass, wrought iron, natural fibers, leather, ceramics, clay and silver. among other materials.
The fame of the place as a pottery and crafts center is not recent. Since pre-Hispanic times, the indigenous people who inhabited the area, subject to the kingdom of Tonalá, knew how to take advantage of the natural clay of the region, a tradition that lasted until after the arrival of the Spanish; In the seventeenth century, the indigenous people of Tlaquepaque continued to distinguish themselves by their artisan skills, especially for the manufacture of tiles and clay bricks.
During the 19th century the city's pottery prestige was further consolidated. In 1883 Guadalajara communicates with Tlaquepaque through the famous train of mulitas. Currently, in this sanctuary dedicated to creativity, you can get from small decorative or utilitarian objects, such as beautiful tableware, to monumental sculptures and all kinds of furniture to decorate an entire house, in styles that range from traditional rustic or fine, contemporary Mexican , baroque, colonial and neoclassical, to sacred art and antiquities.
In addition to the sideboards that inevitably attract the attention of visitors, there are many workshops where you can appreciate the meticulous work that handcrafted pieces require for their manufacture.
On a visit, do not miss the El Refugio Cultural Center, a beautiful building from 1885 that annually holds an important artisan exhibition; the Casa del Artesano and the Regional Museum of Ceramics, where the traditional crafts produced both in Tlaquepaque and throughout Jalisco are exhibited, as well as the Pantaleón Panduro Museum, where you can admire the winning pieces of the National Ceramics Prize.
Kiosk in Plaza Tlaquepaque.
