Monday, March 7, 2016

A SUNDAY DRIVE: Xochicalco and beyond

Although I'd heard of the pre-Hispanic settlement at Xochicalco years ago, it was only last Sunday that I finally made it there. About two hours south of Mexico City in the state of Morelos, this stunning site on a terraced mountaintop has 360 degree views of surrounding (mostly empty) countryside. A smartly designed museum has a small collection of sculptures and objects from the site, whose heyday was from 700 to 900 A.D., long before the founding of Tenochtitlán (aka Mexico City).  Last Sunday there were probably less than 50 people there, so I'd guess during the week you'd have the place to yourself. It was a surprising, magical place, well worth a visit.
The other big surprise happened when we took a wrong turn on the way home and ended up in the middle of the annual fiesta in the town of Miacatlán, which features the exuberantly colorful outfits of the Chinelos de Morelos (see photos below).

Google Map link HERE



  















FIESTA DE MIACATLÁN 




























6 comments:

Cardie said...

Great photos here, esp. love the architectural shots of the site.

Andres said...

I concur: great photos

carol said...

Wonderful trip you took..... the surprise of the festival is so exciting.... those costumes! and "miss miacatlán" sitting on a frog's lap!

arlene said...

Is that a Kermit chair? Love those very authentic costumes.

Anonymous said...

I am just discovering your blog, but I very much enjoyed this entry. Xochicalco is a neat place, and the ruins are more expansive than I first imagined (not to mention totally in the middle of nowhere, with a cool hilltop setting). I am not familiar with Miacatlan, but I enjoyed your festival pics.

Thanks, and feel free to check out my blog at gringopotpourri.com.

laura ann loveland said...

I have added XOCHICALCO to my Mexico "bucket list." Many thanks! Laura from MEXICO AND BEYOND: LAURA's PHOTO JOURNEY at: lauraaloveland.blogspot.mx

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