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Quiroga, Michoacan
This rather nondescript but still pleasant town near the north shore of Lake Patzcuaro has served as a marketplace for surrounding towns and villages for more than 500 years. Spanish Bishop Vasco de Quiroga, for whom the town is named, arrived in the early 16th century and assigned different industries to area villages, many of which practiced these same crafts in one form or another. The idea was to avoid competition among these villages and assure a reasonable livelihood for their inhabitants. Then called Cocupao (“Meeting Place” in the Purépecha language) this market town occupied a privileged crossroads for points to the north, east, and south---and continues to serve its original function.
Products sold here---some produced by local artisans and others brought in---are mainly things made of vegetable fiber, carved wood, leather, textiles, and pottery. There are stacks of factory-made soup bowls and coffee mugs for sale alongside green-glazed chips-and-salsa platters made by hand in Tzintzuntzan. Unless you look like a real greenhorn, merchants will offer fair prices (often times marked) and hard bargaining is not necessary.
You might shop for a caso, a typical two-handed casserole pot from Santa Clara del Cobre. (This copper cookware is a great conductor of heat and the metal does not absorb flavors which might then influence another dish.) Keep an eye peeled for Quiroga’s classic peribanas, round wooden trays painted with brightly colored fruits, flowers, and other motifs.
Some of the stalls along both sides of the main drag sell simplistic, old-fashioned wooden toys. I can’t help but wonder who purchases them in this age of PSPs and X-Boxes. Other small outdoor stalls offer wooden chairs and stools, decoupage angels and Elvises, and junky little toy guitars and doll houses. There are nice huaraches---some classic styles built upon tire treads and more modern women’s sandals---at good prices. Calle Berrizabol has larger indoor stores selling wholesale merchandise. A nice family on the same street sells sterling silver jewelry from Taxco; price is determined by weight.
Also for sale are modern and traditional clothing, fresh-off-the-griddle blue corn tortillas, and all sorts of fruits and vegetables. The stands on one end of the main plaza (look for the blue and red umbrellas) are famous for their excellent
carnitas.
There are several historic churches downtown in the midst of the market stalls, but nothing terribly exciting. Venture a block or two away from the main road and you’ll find pharmacies and tiny auto parts stores. Some streets are lined in brightly painted homes, while others favor the traditional white-and-red color scheme.
For more things to do as well as hotels and restaurants, check out our Quiroga Travel Guide.
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| Mexatua Real Estate Real Estate agents serving Morelia, Patzcuaro, and surrounding areas. Legal advice and title insurance. Privada Lazaro Cardenas 5, Patzcuaro, Michoacan 434 342 0868
 http://www.mexatua.com |
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| Michoacan Real Estate Agent - Tierra Colonial Welcome to Tierra Colonial, offering the best selection of real estate in Michoacan, Mexico and the city of Morelia! The properties on this page are rare, unique or represent a particularly good value. Be sure to browse our entire inventory by clicking the links on the left. For information about buying real estate in Mexico or about Morelia and Michoacan, explore the links on the right. We look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy! Morelia, Michoacan http://www.tierracolonial.com/ |
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| Priscilla's Priscilla's restaurant offers fine international dining in a lovely setting. At Mansion de los Suenos hotel, we are open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ibarra 15, Centro, Patzcuaro, Michoacan 434/342-5708 http://www.mansiondelossuenos.com |
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| Restaurant-Bar San Miguelito Near the Convention Center in a pretty home converted to a restaurant, San Miguelito serves Mexican dishes in several beautiful dining rooms decorated in traditional Michoacan style. Avenida Camelinas s/n, Morelia, Michoacan 443/324-2399 http://www.sanmiguelito.com.mx |
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| Casa de la Real Aduana Boutique Hotel Located in the heart of Colonial Patzcuaro, the Boutique Hotel Casa de la Real Aduana is an intimate hotel of charm and beauty with five rooms of artistic and elegant decoration. Ponde de Leon 16, Centro, Patzcuaro, Michoacan 52+434+342 0265
 http://www.realaduana.com |
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| Casa La Paloma Experience folkloric charm in a rustic, handcrafted home on the edge of Lake Patzcuaro with a view of the lake from every window. A unique location away from the bustle of downtown Patzcuaro! Are you adventurous and interested in Old Fashioned Mexico? It's COOL (45º-75º)! 7,000' alt, surrounded by volcanoes, pine forests, & residence of the Tarascan Kings! Traditional Indian villages, Pre-Hispanic ruins, crafts- copper, wood & ceramics - Markets, Colonial architecture. 16th Century churches, canoeing on Mexico's butterfly-net lake, It's off the beaten track... but all within 1/2 hour drive to downtown Patzcuaro for an espresso cafe, tourists & some music. - No beach bars or discos! Patzcuaro, Michoacan http://www.casalazipina.com/ |
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| Villa Montaña Villa Montaña, along with being part of MBH, is also part of the Small Luxury Hotel group for Mexico and is situated in the beautiful city of Morelia in central Mexico. Because of the aristocratic faded rose hue of the stone quarried in the area, the city of Morelia is a baroque symphony in pink. Five minutes away, on the slope of the Cerro de Santa María, the view of Villa Montaña, a colonial gem, is awe-inspiring. And even more so when it is enjoyed from a cozy bar or the delightful crystalline waters of a heated pool. Patzimba 201, Vista Bella, Morelia, Michoacán, Morelia, Michoacan 1 800 728 9098
 mexicoboutiquehotels.com/villamontana |
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| Villa San Jose Hotel & Suites Hotel with Morelia's most spectacular view. With a privileged location from where you can enjoy Morelia ’s most spectacular view, Villa San Jose Hotel & Suites (special category) has a unique rustic style, 43 different rooms, meeting places, pool, tennis court, internet and all you might need to have an unforgettable stay at just 10 minutes from downtown. Its scenic restaurant “ La Fonda Santa Maria ” and its bar with live music, complete our offer. Patzimba 77, Morelia, Michoacan +52 443 324 45 45
 http://www.villasanjose.com.mx |
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| Los Juaninos As you set foot in the luxurious lobby of Los Juaninos, with French-style furniture of palatial airs and two arcades displaying 18th-century stained-glass panels, the atmosphere of this building full of memories and history will capture your imagination. Morelos Sur 39, Centro, Morelia, Michoacán 58000, Morelia, Michoacan 1 800 728 9098
 mexicoboutiquehotels.com/losjuaninos |
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| Lake Zirahuen Real Estate Welcome to Patzcuaro Colonial, your source for Patzcuaro, Lake Zirahuen Michoacan Mexico real estate. Thinking of buying or selling real estate in Patzcuaro Michoacan Mexico ? You've come to the right place and we are the right people to help you make the move. Patzcuaro, Michoacan http://www.patzcuarocolonial.com/ |
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| Casa Santiago Bed & Breakfast Four Star, owner/operated B & B in rural setting 20min from the colonial city of Patzcuaro. Exclusive tours of regional artisan studios available upon request. Arminda Flores & Kevin Quigley, Santiago Tzipijo, Patzcuaro, Michoacan 434 344 0880
 http://www.casasantiagomex.com/ |
Quiroga real estate, rentals, hotels, restaurants, weather, map, and travel guides.
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