Native Trails MyTrails 2025 221 Puebla the Jardín Mágico, where vibrant floral arrangements line the paths. At the local markets, enjoy fresh produce, traditional sweets, handmade crafts, and the many flower stalls that give Atlixco its special charm. The city offers a unique blend of colonial flair, rich culture, and breathtaking views of the Popocatépetl volcano. 32 Visit of the Exconvento de Tochimilco Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy Built in two stages in the mid- and the late 16th century, the former Franciscan monastery of Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción in Tochimilco shows marked differences in style. It is especially the top part of the tower and the bellgable that are distinctly set off from the lower renaissance structure, which has the appearance of a fortified building. Showing rich decoration, the church interior is in marked contrast with the austere exterior. You should not neglect to have a look at the cloister, with its paintings – a remarkable example of the religious architecture of the time and thus one criterion contributing to the monastery being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. 33 Walking tour in Huaquechula Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Experience Huaquechula on a walking tour through its charming streets, where colonial architecture and the atmosphere of a Pueblo Mágico create a captivating setting. A special highlight is the Día de los Muertos altars, which are crafted throughout the year in private homes and workshops. Here, you will learn how these multi-tiered altars are adorned with white fabrics, flowers, candles, and offerings for the deceased. You will also visit the Church of San Martín de Tours, known for its impressive façade, and meet locals who proudly preserve their traditions. 34 Visit of the mineral source of Tehuacán Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Visit of the mineral sources of the Grupo Peñafiel in Tehuacán. It takes the most popular Mexican mineral water more than 60 km (38 mi.) and 50 years to filter from the highest mountain in the country, the Pico de Orizaba (5,610 m [18,406 ft.]) down to the sources of Tehuacán, where the water is filled into bottles. Legend has it that the Aztec king Montezuma took some water from Tehuacán as a refreshment before engaging in the battle with Hernán Cortés. 35 City tour Tehuacán Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy A good place to begin your tour of Tehuacán is the neoclassical church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, which is part of a former monastery. The route continues to the cathedral – although built in Renaissance style, it cannot deny Baroque influences. When you leave the cathedral, you see the Palacio Municipal to your right; with its somewhat fancy façade, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the town. Do not forget to take a look at the interior, where you find two murals showing the history and famous personalities of the region. 36 Visit of the archaeological zone Tehuacán Viejo Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy In the view held by the people of the Nguiwa or Popolaca civilizations in the first half of the past millennium, your visit of the archaeological zone of Tehuacán means an approach to the underworld: The examinations suggest that the complex was dedicated to Mictlantecuhtli, the god of the dead, and skulls were found on the lateral walls of the pyramid, applied with stuccoing plaster. So far only one tenth of the place, which was formerly known as Ndachjian, has been excavated. Among the particularly impressive features is the hydraulic system that provided the zone with water. You should not miss the excellent museum of the zone, where you will learn more about the former importance of the place. 37 Preparation of a Salsa Hormiguero Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy To many people throughout Mexico, the women of Santa María Coapan, a suburb of Tehuacán, are known for their salsa de hormiga (ants’ sauce). As can be inferred from its name, the sauce is hot, but it is also delicately spicy. Its main ingredients in this part of Mexico are chilies, garlic and salt. Many women of Coapan have opened their own businesses, either as a street trader offering food such as tortillas or barbacoa with the famous sauce or as a supplier preparing such dishes for restaurants in the towns around Tehuacán. The regional tidbits also include pumpkin seeds turned in the sauce; in Santa María Coapan, we will show you how the specialty is made.
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