Tacámbaro Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Jerome)

⛪ The Phoenix of Tierra Caliente

If you've decided to explore beyond the lake and head down to the temperate climate of Tacámbaro, your first mandatory stop is the St. Jerome Cathedral. This is no ordinary temple; it is a true survivor of history that, like the people, has known how to rise from its ashes time and time again.

Located in the heart of this Magical Town, its original construction is lost in the mists of the 16th century (between 1538 and 1570), linked to the Augustinian foundation. But what you will see today is the result of a constant struggle against fire, war, and nature.

🔥 A building that can withstand anything To understand this place, you have to look at its scars. The Cathedral was devastated by three major fires. The most dramatic occurred in 1865, during the battle against Belgian troops (yes, Belgians in Michoacán!). It was after this destruction that the town, led by parish priest Crisanto Gómez, decided to give it its current form with a vaulted ceiling at the end of the 19th century.

And if that weren't enough, the dome The one you'll see shining today isn't the original quarry stone structure. That one collapsed in the 1985 earthquake and was replaced by the current steel structure covered in... copper, a nod to the craftsmanship of the neighboring region.

🔔 The secret of the bells Before entering, take a close look at the bell tower. Here, history has left its literal mark:

• Look for the North bell: Dedicated to Saint Raphael (1898), if you look closely, you will see the bullet holes which he received during the Revolution. Pure history in bronze!

• There are four in total, oriented to the cardinal points, each with its own dedication and date, also survivors of turbulent times.

✨ Treasures within: From Classical to Surreal Upon crossing the threshold, the ship welcomes you with its neoclassical grandeur. But there are two stops you can't miss:

1. The Christ of the Butchers: On the central altar, look for this 18th-century Christ figure. It is a piece of deep local devotion.
2. The Throne of God (The Surprise Chapel): Halfway down the nave, on the left side, you'll find something unexpected: a modern chapel (from the 1970s) that breaks with everything that came before. There you'll find the bronze sculpture. “The Throne of God”. It is a striking work filled with apocalyptic symbolism: eyes, wings, flames, and a double-edged sword. It is a powerful visual representation rarely seen in colonial churches.

🔍 The Hidden Convent Thanks to the reconstruction work after 1985, the remains of the original 16th-century cloister that had remained hidden. Today you can see arches and columns that remind us that, beneath the layers of modernity and reconstruction, the Augustinian heart of Tacámbaro continues to beat.

🌟 Our Recommendation

Tacámbaro has a delightful climate (“the balcony of Tierra Caliente”), so take advantage of it to walk calmly.

Expert tip: After visiting the Cathedral and looking for the bullet holes in the bell, go out to the square and look for a avocado ice cream. Yes, you read that right. Tacámbaro is avocado country, and this ice cream is a creamy, sweet specialty that will surprise you. Sit on a bench in front of the Cathedral and enjoy the contrast between the local flavor and the resilient architecture.