Tuxpan, Michoacán facts for kids
Tuxpan is a small town located in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It sits between the cities of Zitácuaro and Ciudad Hidalgo. Tuxpan is about 118 kilometers (73 miles) away from Morelia, the capital city of Michoacán.
This town is famous for its amazing church, which is dedicated to James, son of Zebedee, also known as Saint James the Apostle (Santiago Apostol). Inside the church, you can see a magnificent painting by the famous artist Cristóbal de Villalpando.
Contents
What Does Tuxpan Mean?
The town was first called "Tuspa" by the Otomi people many centuries before Jesus Christ was born. Later, in 1225, the Aztecs changed its name to Tochpan. In the Nahua language, tochtli means "rabbit" and an means "place." So, Tochpan means "place of rabbits."
When Catholic settlers arrived, they named the town Santiago Tuxpan. This honored one of the 12 apostles of Christ. This name was used until Mexico became a republic. Then, it was simply changed back to "Tuxpan."
A Look at Tuxpan's History
The very first people to live in the area of Tuxpan were the Otomi people. We know this because archaeologists have found old artifacts that show the Otomi lived there many centuries ago.
Tuxpan and the Purépecha Empire
Around 1200 AD, the Otomi people of Tuxpan became part of the powerful Purépecha Empire. This empire included 340 towns! The Aztecs, who were very strong, could never conquer this land because the Purépecha Alliance was so mighty. This alliance brought over 250 years of peace to Tuxpan.
The Aztec Invasion
In 1464, the Aztec king Axayacatl began to invade the Purépecha lands. Tuxpan, with its 300 brave men, fought against thousands of Aztec soldiers as part of the Purépecha Alliance. Even though they fought bravely, defeat was unavoidable, and the town was destroyed and burned down. Both the Aztecs and the Purépecha people saw this battle as an incredible act of heroism. In 1466, the Purépecha Empire promised to protect Tuxpan from any future battles.
Founding of the Modern Town
During the Spanish colonial period, the goal in Michoacán was to move many native people into new or rebuilt towns. Catholic missionaries prepared the land for Tuxpan to officially become a town. On October 4, 1598, a special ceremony was held to celebrate the birth of the town of Tuxpan, Michoacán. Many people attended, including the local Indian chief, government officials, landowners, and the many native people who already lived there.
Fun Culture and Traditions
Every year, Tuxpan celebrates its most important event on the Saturday before Easter. For the next two weeks, the whole town is filled with celebrations! A carnival is set up where everyone can enjoy games and rides, much like carnivals in other countries.
Delicious Local Food
Besides popular Mexican dishes like quesadillas, tacos, and tamales, Tuxpan has special treats during this time. One unique food is a "pasta," which is actually a type of vanilla ice cream. Another popular choice is "Conserva," which is a variety of fruits boiled with sugar until it becomes a sweet, honey-like treat.
Horse Racing and Parades
The first Saturday of every March is dedicated to horse racing. These races happen at a small track on the west side of town. They start in the afternoon and continue until early evening. During the races, downtown Tuxpan becomes very quiet as everyone goes to watch!
The town also organizes a beauty pageant each year to choose a girl to represent Tuxpan during the festivities. The girls who participate are usually between 15 and 19 years old. The winner, or "queen," is also the main attraction in the town parade.
On the first Tuesday after the horse races, the town holds a special parade where all sorts of people participate. The beauty pageant queen, along with the runner-up and third-place winner, are an important part of the parade. Schools, from pre-kindergarten to high school, also play a big role. The last section of the parade is dedicated to the "charros," who are men and women dressed in traditional Mexican cowboy outfits, riding horses.
Places to Visit in Tuxpan
The main natural attraction in Tuxpan is a beautiful waterfall called El Salto, or "the jump." It's about 2.5 miles northeast of the downtown area. Many people visit to see the magnificent scene the waterfall creates. Visitors often bring food for a barbecue and spend the day swimming and playing games.
El Cerro de la Cruz: The Mountain with the Cross
You can see this mountain from almost anywhere in Tuxpan. In 2004, the local government built stairs all the way to the top. People from all over enjoy climbing these stairs to reach the peak. Once at the top, they are rewarded with a majestic view of the entire valley!
See also
In Spanish: Tuxpan (Michoacán) para niños
