Chalcatzingo
Archeological site featuring rock
carvings and sculpture.
 The
Chalcatzingo archeological site is found at Km. 93 of the Cuernavaca
- Cuautla highway, in the State of Morelos...
Located on Cerro de la Cantera, a twin-peaked
outcropping in the south-eastern part of the state, the carvings
depict mythical and religious themes associated with agriculture
and fertility.
Chalcatzingo.
Carving at ChalcatzingoThe
stone engravings and sculptures of this site became the focus
of interest in 1934 during studies by archeologist Eulalia Guzmán.
The area holds remnants of various cultures from 3000 B.C. to
present day, and which indicate the presence of outsiders to the
region, including a strong Olmec influence thought to have reached
it's peak between 700 B.C. and 500 A.D.
The site includes low reliefs
and sculptures such as "The King" and "The Flying
Man", a Mural of Fertility, a Procession, "The Puma"
and "The Queen" as well as structures such as the "Tlahuica
Altar", the "Olmec Altar" and a Ball Court.
The name "Chalcatzingo"
is of Náhuatl origin and means "Place most prized
by the Chalcas", "Venerated place of sacred water"
or "Place of precious jades".
Tepoztlán
A small village surrounded by craggy mountains and overlooked
by the Tepozteco pyramid
 Tepoztlan
is a small town located to the south of Mexico City in the State
of Morelos, accessible by the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway via the
Cuautla cut-off.
It is reported that in the
year 1870, some local young people got together whatever came
to hand as noisemakers and costumes made of old, torn clothing
and rags and began dancing through the streets of nearby Tlayacapan
as a means of diversion. Looked on favorably by both the town's
youngsters and older people, this lively dance or "brinco"
was repeated in subsequent years, turning into what is now known
as the Dance of the  Chinelos.
The Chinelo dance is performed
during Carnival (prior to Ash Wednesday) in both Tepoztlan and
Tlayacapan, and at the Tepozteco Festival on Sept. 7 and 8.
The Chinelos, dressed now in
colorful attire with bearded masks and elaborately decorated headgear,
dance (or rather bounce) through the town accompanied by drums
and other instruments and followed by fellow revelers and townspeople.
Tlayacapan
Place of origin of the Chinelos
 In
1534 the Augustinians founded Tlayacapan's first church, later
converted into a convent. The Convent of St. John the Baptist
features several murals as well as a rainwater collection system
which is still in operation today. Tlayacapan also features over
a dozen lesser chapels.
The local Village Museum, located
in what used to be the Refectory, exhibits various archeological
pieces, frescos and mummified bodies which were discovered during
recent restoration work in the Convent.
Tlayacapan is known for it's
clay pottery, both plain and colorfully glazed. Typical food of
the area includes red mole with turkey, cecina (salt dried meat)
and green mole made of squash seeds.
Xochicalco
Archelological site south of Cuernavaca
Zempoala
Series of lagoons in the mountains above the city.
Chalma
Site of one of Mexico's most important
pilgrimages
Hacienda Cocoyoc
Cuautla / Agua Hedionda Hot Springs
Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
The Cacahuamilpa Caverns
Oaxtepec Resort
Taxco
Colonial city famous for it's silver
Lake Tequesquitengo
This lake offers a variety of water sports and activities, located
only 48 kms. from Cuernavaca. |
