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Tepotzotlán is little known but has two incredible historical sites: The Museo Nacional del Virreinato (National Museum of the Viceroyalty of New Spain) and the acueducto de Tepotzotlán (aqueduct of Tepotzotlán) which is commonly known as Los Arcos del Sitio. But besides these two sites (which I’ll detail below), Tepotzotlán has a huge, beautiful main square (zocalo).
All of the above have warranted Tepotzotlán being designated as one of Mexico’s 132 “Pueblos Magicos” by Mexico’s Tourism department.
Museo Nacional del Virreinato (National Museum of the Viceroyalty of New Spain)
The Museum is dedicated to the history of New Spain (officially the “Viceroyalty of New Spain”). You’ll see many artifacts from the colonial period, from art to furniture to different textiles. But even more impressive is the setting – the museum is housed in the former College of San Francisco Javier complex. Built by the Jesuits starting in the 1580’s, the complex was a center of learning for both Indian boys and Jesuit priests. It is a large, roaming complex housing several churches including the incredible Church of San Francisco Javier. The church has some of the most impressive Baroque art in Mexico, the highlight being its gold-leaf Churrigueresque altarpieces. It is hard to describe how stunning the church is in words (see the video at the end of this post. It best captures the beauty of the church). Besides the church, you’ll see a library containing over 4000 books dating from the 16th century, a magnificent chapel, many interior courtyards, and 3 hectares of gardens which contain, among other things, the original Salta de Agua fountain (built in 1779, it marked the end of the aqueduct that brought water into Central Mexico City from Chapultepec). No wonder the complex, surrounded by thick walls, dominates the center of Tepotzotlán.
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