Michoacán: Source of Inspiration, Source of Recreation

Mexico’s pre-Hispanic roots and complex history have amazed ---and continues to intrigue--historians, academics, writers and artists from all fields. Indeed, Mexico has a magical attraction and has been a continuous source of inspiration through time.

There is no more remarkable example of this than the work of Jean Marie Le Clezio, the recent winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, who has chosen Mexico and its history as main characters of his work.

Le Clezio delivers an amazing book that narrates the origins and genesis of the Purepecha people of Michoacán, a story retold from generation to generation in the purest oral tradition, by the “petamutis” priests. This book preserves the memory of a culture and is a recollection of past events; an account of the times when there was a magic coexistence between men and their gods. Le Clezio immediately felt in love with the state of Michoacán, its culture and its past, and moved there to have a better understanding of this civilization and to write his book: “The Spiritual Conquer of Michoacán”.

Even if you are not a writer or an academic, you will be amazed by the magic and appeal of Michoacán. Its charisma lies in the beauty of its landscape, in its rich pre-Hispanic past that is preserved in the archaeological sites of the region and still alive in the traditions, gastronomy and handicrafts. Its allure rests in its colonial past found in the remnants of colonial period cities, magnificent buildings, plazas and zócalos (main squares).

Michoacán’s natural beauty offers vast natural areas and national parks such as Cupatitzio Canyon and the Jose Maria Morelos Park. At these places you can go camping, enjoy ecotourism outings and extreme sports, including mountain bike riding and paragliding.

This state also houses two World Heritage Sites of very different kinds: the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, where the fir forest serves as nesting grounds for the Monarch butterfly; and the Historic Center of the city of Morelia -capital of the state- where you’ll find numerous colonial-style structures, such as the Palacio Nacional and La Catedral (The Cathedral), a Baroque-style structure built with pink ashlars.

For a visual encounter with the Purepechan past, pay a visit to the archaeological sites of Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio. For a more tasteful experience of the pre-Hispanic roots, try the corundas and uchepos (regional tamales).

If in search of inspiration or on a quest for a supreme experience, the place is Michoacán.