Ubicación: Zacapu

Zacapu 🦅💧 Cradle of the Purépecha Empire and Tierra de Piedra.

Under the imposing gaze of the majestic Cerro del Tecolote (which rises to 3,200 meters above sea level and in rare winters is dressed in snow), Zacapu extends. Its name, which evokes stone, hides the very origin of Michoacán's greatness. Here, at almost 2,000 meters above sea level, ancient history and a vibrant nature of springs and volcanoes coexist in harmony.

El Origen de Todo (Historia) 📜

Zacapu is not just another town; is the Tzacapu Maruati, the sacred place where history changed.

• The Encounter: Originally inhabited by the inhabitants of Naranxha, the area received the nomadic Chichimec tribes (Uacúsechas) who were looking for a home for their god Curicaveri. From the fusion (and conflict) between these groups was born the lineage that would give life to the Purepecha Empire.

• The Modern Foundation: After the arrival of the Spanish in 1522 and the work of humanists such as Vasco de Quiroga, it was the Danish prince turned friar, Fray Jacobo Daciano, who in 1548 laid out the current city, declaring that it was “the will of God” to erect the new community there.

Nature and Archaeology 🎒

It is a destination of marked contrasts:

• El Malpaís: An open-air museum where sites like La Crucita and Las Iglesias allow you to walk among yácatas built on volcanic rock, silent witnesses to the religious capital of the empire.

• Water and Life: The city celebrates water. From the Zacapu Lagoon (home of the achoque fish) to the impressive Los Espinos Pool (an emerald lake inside a crater), the natural environment is the soul of local tourism.

Flavor with Identity: Pasta Snow 🍦

Zacapu boasts a rich culinary tradition, but its crown jewel is Pasta Ice Cream. It's important for the discerning traveler to know the difference: although it shares a common historical origin with the famous ice cream of Pátzcuaro, the Zacapu version has its own distinct character. They are not the same; the local recipe has developed a particular consistency and flavor profile that sets it apart from its "cousin" from the lake. Trying it in the arcades or plazas is a must to understand the local taste.

Living Culture 🎉

Throughout the year, the city organizes various gastronomic and artisanal exhibitions and cultural festivals that take place in the Lagoon or the Historic Center, celebrating everything from its pre-Hispanic roots to its modern vocation.

🌟 Our Recommendation

The route of contrasts.

• Stone and Water: Dedicate the morning to the strong, dry energy of the Malpaís archaeological zone, and in the afternoon relax in the humid coolness of the Lagoon or La Zarcita Park.

• The Flavor Challenge: Don't leave without trying the local pasta ice cream. Forget the comparisons and enjoy it for what it is: a dessert with history and its own unique character.