CUERNAVACA, The City of Eternal Spring
CUERNAVACA, The City of Eternal Spring
CUERNAVACA, The City of Eternal SpringThe hot summer months are just around the corner, why not get away from the hundred degree weather and take a dip into the coolness of the seventies weather? Enjoy the fresh mountain breeze of the City of Eternal Spring and visit Cuernavaca. Even better, get a head start by visiting http://patawalk.com
Cuernavaca is the home away from home for both native Mexicans and people from all over the world. This city was first inhabited by Olmecs more than 3000 years ago. In fact, the name Cuernavaca comes from the Nahuatl "Cuauhnahuac" meaning "surrounded by or near trees." Because of the difficulty to pronounce, "Cuauhnahuac" became Cuernavaca. Cuernavaca was conquered by the Aztecs in the late 1300s and from then on, many Aztec Emperors made it their summer home. The city was conquered and taken over by the Spaniards almost a century later. And even then, the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, made it his home-away-from-home. Nevertheless, Cuernavaca didn't "officially" become a city until 1834. Upon the creation of the State of Morelos (1869), Cuernavaca became its capital city, something that added to the already importance of the city. In turn, this prompted the construction of roads and railroads connecting to Mexico City.
By the twentieth century, Cuernavaca was the most desirable destination of the rich and famous. It was so that personalities of the likes of Hollywood bombshells such as Rita Hayworth to American gangsters such as Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel vacationed here! Cuernavaca even became an artistic hotspot hosting artistic expositions by artists like Alvarez Icaza, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and many others. Artists of all walks of life where quickly attracted to Cuernavaca what we can refer to as the "psychedelic period of the 1960's." This period began when the famed American writer and psychologist, Timothy Leary had a taste of psilocybin mushroom and knew he had to spread the word and repeat the experience. That moment prompted a surge of artists, writers, poets, and even architects to come to Cuernavaca. Today, Cuernavaca is a well-preserved city whose vegetation, archeological sites, and historical sites remain well-protected.
The magnificent year-round cool weather is not the only reason to visit this marvelous city. Cuernavaca is a city filled with history and natural beauty. There is so much to see here! For starters, you must first visit El Palacio de Cortes (The Palace of Cortes). As you can gather from its name, this building was owned by none other than the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes. This "palace" was built in 1535 and as such it is among some of the oldest buildings in the American continent. For those architect buffs, the style of this building is considered to be Renaissance. What's most interesting about this particular building is the petroglyphs (or native rock carvings) that remain on display on the outer front part of the building.
One of the most impressive aspects of Cuernavaca is the very fertile land. Due to this, Cuernavaca's proudly boasts of having some of the most remarkable gardens in the country. Without arguments you must visit at least one of Cuernavaca's public gardens. One must-see garden is the Morelos Garden, which you can easily identify by a huge monument to Jose Maria Morelos, for whom the garden is named after. Another garden is the Juarez Garden, which in turn is recognized due to it having a kiosk from England. Interestingly, these two gardens are separated by a huge building known as the State Government Palace. However, all three places together have come to be known as el "zocalo." What's more, not only will your eyes be treated to some botanical beauties, but you will be entertained by the different spectacles that take place here. For instance, you can see anything from a dance going on to clowns to groups of youths singing. Another garden that you have to visit is the Borda Garden, which was first a simple house but was converted into a garden thanks to the owner's love for botany. Flowers and trees aren't the only thing you'll find here; there are also water fountains and even an artificial lake where you can take a boat ride. After you're done with the natural aspects of the garden, then you should visit the house, which has now been converted into a museum featuring both contemporary art and 18th and 19th century expositions. An even more diverse garden is that of the Ethnicbotanical Garden, which a farm was owned by Maximilian in the mid 1800s. Legend has it, that he had this place in order to enjoy the "company" of an indigenous woman. What's most impressive about this garden is that it features more than 800 species of plants. Talk about a collection!
El Parque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park) is truly an ecological marvel. This park is named after the trees that surround the area, Chapultepec Trees. This park has natural fresh-water springs and its an ideal place for families to spend the day. It has been conditioned with playground for the kids and a picnic area. What's more is that the park also features a "natural" habitat for specific member of the animal kingdom including monkeys, birds and reptiles. Imagine that, going on a picnic with springs and wild animalswow! El Salto de San Anton is a 118-foot waterfall, which is one of Cuernavaca's natural beauties that you must visit. Special stairs have been constructed for the public to go up to the waterfall and enjoy the view. Here you can even purchase an array of plants and even red clay pottery.
If you enjoy visiting churches, then you must visit The Cathedral of Cuernavaca, which was built in the 1500s. The Cathedral is built of a compilation of different architectural styles, all of which were built at different times (perhaps this explain the differing styles). Hernan Cortes had this church built with a double purpose. Not only was this to be a place of worship but also a fortress; and as a matter of fact, when it was first built, there were cannons above the buttresses, or stone wall. Tlaltenango is another place you must visit if you're looking for a church. Here you'll find two churches in a sort of compound: the Church of San Jose and the Church of Nuestra Senora de los Milagros de Tlatenango. Both churches were built in the 1520s. Lastly, Chapitel de Calvario is another church. The church gets its name from the two spires that stand out. In fact, the word "chapitel" means spire or pointed roof. This church has been there since the 1530's.
If you're an art lover, then you must visit the Robert Brady Museum. This museum features original art work by artists like Frida Kahlo and Rufino Tamayo among various other American and European artists. If you enjoy photography or simply want to know a little bit more on the history of Cuernavaca, then you must visit El Castillito (The Small Castle). This museum is dedicated to photographs that depict the story of this wonderful city.
By now, you must be wondering where to stay. Let me recommend the Sumiya/Hotel Camino Real. Initially, this was a mansion designed and built purely by Japanese architects. It even includes an exact replica of the world-renown Kyoto Kabuki Theater in Japan. But, lucky you for today it is a hotel where you can enjoy a little bit of history and a piece of Japan in Mexico! After all this you'll surely be hungry, so why not spoil yourself and enjoy a dinner at Restaurante Bar Gaia (Restaurant Bar Gaia). What's most attractive about this restaurant is not only the food but that fact that it used to be an old mansion where the famous Mexican comedian known as Cantinflas resided. The designed of a pre-Hispanic goddess has remained intact; in fact the majority of the mansion remains much like it was when Cantiflas lived there. If you're adventurous when it comes to food then you must try some German cuisine at Hubert's Haus or perhaps some Mediterranean meals at Terrarium. But if you'd rather stick to some traditional Mexican food then go to Casa Hidalgo or Las Mananitas.
Now that you know what you're missing, start packing your bags. But don't take off before seeing this spectacular city in a full virtual tour at http://patawalk.com!
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