TLAQUEPAQUE, A Crafts Capital
TLAQUEPAQUE, A Crafts Capital
TLAQUEPAQUE, A Crafts Capital
TLAQUEPAQUE, A Crafts Capital
Have you ever imagined a small town dedicated to crafts and shopping? This is not a dream, for you can find such a town in the state of Jalisco. Take a full virtual tour of this shopping town known as Tlaquepaque at http://patawalk.com.
People have argued as to the meaning of the town's name. Some argue that Tlaquepaque means, "Men who manufacture clay pots." Another possible meaning to this indigenous word is, "place over hills of clay dirt." Yet others argue that it means, "Place of clay" or "hills of clay." At least we can all agree that the name refers to the clay that is very prominent in this area and from which various crafts have been made.
Despite Tlaquepaque's meaning, its history is undisputable and incredibly interesting. Before Tlaquepaque became what it is today, it was but a small land belonging to the Tonala Kingdom, which was ruled by a queen named Cihualpilli Tzapotzinco. It's interesting to note that the ruler of this kingdom was female. It wasn't until the early 1500s when the first Spaniards stepped foot on Tlaquepaque; they were led by Nuno de Guzman. Upon hearing of their arrival, Queen Cihualpilli gave them a warm welcome. However, there was a group that didn't want to welcome the Spaniards, so they went their own way, but not without putting up a fight against the intruders. Unfortunately, the rebel indigenous group lost. This battle gave way for Guzman to take control over the entire kingdom of Tonala, which included Tlaquepaque. Soon after, in 1548, Tlaquepaque was renamed San Pedro (Saint Peter); this is a name that stuck up until the 19th century. During the following centuries, San Pedro witnessed various historical events of great importance. For instance, in 1821 this town became the setting where Jalisco's proclamation for independence was declared. A few years later, in 1835, one of the first co-ed schools was established here. And in 1858, the Mexican President Benito Juarez signed various accords for the benefit of the Mexican armed forces. It wasn't until 1860 when the city became known as San Pedro Tlaquepaque and in 1970 the first part of the name was dropped and so it became known simply as Tlaquepaque.
One reason why people enjoy Tlaquepaque is the fact that it has withstood the test of time, for it has remained truly authentic Spanish colonial town. You will notice how the streets are still paved with rocks and the houses maintain that colonial architecture that makes them so unique. In order to truly enjoy these sights and submerge yourself in the wondrous 19th century, you must embark on a stroll down the main street, Calle Juarez. As you walk along the stone-paved streets make sure to stop at Jardin Hidalgo (Hidalgo Garden), which is the town square and it even has a beautiful kiosk right in the center of the park. Oh, and you might be lucky enough to catch a performance by a mariachi. After this, you'll stumble upon a true architectural beauty, Iglesia de San Pedro Apostol (The Saint Peter Apostle Church). This church was built in the 18th century in a baroque style. An even more impressive church and architectural marvel is Santuario de la Soledad (Sanctuary of Solitude). This one was built in the 19th century in a similar baroque style as that of Saint Peter Church; nevertheless the Santuario de la Soledad is bigger, there are some gothic features, inside it has impressive colonial art pieces, and from afar it might remind you of a castle. The Municipal Palace is a very important building not only due to its architectural design, but because it features an amazing mural. This mural is said to represent fire; this is important because most of the crafts are elaborated using this element.
One place that you absolutely have to visit while in Tlaquepaque is El Parian. This place takes up an entire city block and was built in 1878. It is an ideal place to enjoy the weather and it even has its own kiosk located in the center. So what is this place? Well, it everything put together. It features restaurants, bars, live music and stores where you can buy arts, crafts, and souvenirs among other goods. You can buy almost anything you can think of here. At night, this place comes even more alive, as you'll see a Mariachi perform and people rejoice.
When here you must visit at least one of the town's various museums which features different expositions of art among other events. For instance, Museo de la Ceramica Panteleon Panduro (The Ceramic Museum Panteleon Panduro) features the history of Tlaquepaque's arts and crafts. It also has excellent pieces of popular art and if you're lucky you might enjoy one of its various events including concerts. In Museo Regional de la Ceramica de Tlaquepaque (Regional Museum of Tlaquepaque's Ceramics) features an excellent collection of Mexico's most important ceramic pieces. Something interesting about this particular museum is that it used to be a 17th century neoclassic-style home. Lastly, Centro Cultural El Refugio (The Refuge Cultural Center) is a definite must-see. This building used to be a hospital, but it is now a center where various cultural events take place.
You can definitely visit Tlaquepaque year-round and you'll come home with an unforgettable experience. But, why not get a head start and take a virtual tour at http://patawalk.com!
Inshoring Trends For 2011 When It Comes To Lasers What Are The Best Men's Slimming Tank Tops? About Hospital Billing Procedures The Smile Makeover: What It Can Do for You Silk Bed Sheets Stoping The Identity Theives Bensalem Pa Florist How To Select The Best Florist January 2011 Horoscope February 2011 Horoscope Godaddy Smtp Settings Php 2010 U.s. Luggage & Leather Goods Stores Industry Report Choosing Growth over Failure