About 17 kilometres from here, as the crow flies, is the village of Tzintzunzan. Overlooking the village are the ruins referred to as Las Yacatas.
Museum
As you enter and pay your fee, you are in a tiny museum, with a variety of items. The petroglyphs particularly caught my eye. I remember my grandmother showing native Indian petroglyphs in the Fraser Canyon of the Pacific northwest when I was a kid. I always wondered about the person who carved the images into the stone. That wonder stays with me today.
Hurry Up, Company’s Coming!
When you get a chance to wander around the ruins, also keep an eye peeled for more petroglyphs, they are salted throughout the ruins. While we were there, they were doing some cleaning on the front of the ruins, and some additional restoration in the back. Nice to see that things are coming along.
WOW!
The view from the end of the ruins towards the lake I found quite striking! I can only imagine what it was originally like. When the Spaniards came, they tore down many of these structures to build churches in the area.
The Mercado
Leaving the ruins, we go for a stroll to the Mercado, full of bright coloured pottery and an explosion of reed and straw woven items. It looks like Christmas all year round here.
Christmas Year Round?
We proceed into the Olive Atrium on the grounds of the former monastery of St. Francis. These trees are well over 400 years old. We are heading for the far right corner.
450 Year Old Olive Trees!
Templo de la Soledad
As we near the corner, we stop to have a quick peak into the Templo de la Soledad, as we are approaching our final destination.
Capilla Albierta
Just before you get to Templo da la Soledad, there is a gateway. Entering you come into the Capilla Albierta. The skies have clouded over, just in time to add some drama to the vista.
As you look around, you see 16th century painting on the walls. Ahhh, and there is what we came for. We weren't just wandering aimlessly were we? You knew I was bringing you here for a reason, right? There set in the wall, are a number of stones that seem familiar. Petroglyphs, yes these stones came from the ruins. Recycling is not a new idea here
Petroglyphs Again!
Thanks for taking a walk with me today. Hey, if you are interested in more info on the The Former Monastery of St. Francis of Assisi, check out this great post by Cristina Potters of Mexico Cooks!
6 comments:
Your pictures are incredible - really. Jaw dropping amazing.
Looks like a place we would love to visit.
Thanks for the walk, Todd. I must get up your way before too long. So much to explore.
Thanks Mommy, as I was just saying to Cristina over at Mexico Cooks, as a writer, I am a great photographer!
Well, when either of you are heading out this way, drop me a note.
We can give you the tour.
Hey Steve, I thought you were moving out here???? Just stopping by the beach on your way?
Todd
Some say Vasco de Quiroga himself brought those olive trees to Tzintzuntzan.
There are two churches inside that compound. I have been told that one, the one on the right as you enter, was for the Indios, and the other was for the Spaniards. I tend to believe that. Segregation has always been with us.
Good photos indeed.
Aah, it was wonderful to walk along wih you today on one of my favorite paths. I think I'll head over your way when I get back from Texas - at least by the end of July, for sure. Maybe we can have a "mini-blogger get together" in the Plaza with a black cafecito.......
The photos are exquisite
Thanks Babs, it's a date!
Todd
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