Jilotepec
Jilotepec is nestled within a mountain range with amazing peaks for practicing mountaineering, and with forests, dams, waterfalls and bathing spots, with a colonial atmosphere exemplified by the Templo de San Pedro y San Pablo, as well as by its outdoor spaces. Footpaths weaving through forests and rock formations make the perfect walk at the foot of these mountains possible.
Services in Jilotepec
What Makes it Magical
Jilotepec is a Magical Town in the State of Mexico that is rich in Otomí traditions; its main square, Plaza Manuel Ávila Camacho, has a pavilion and a striking Independence obelisk. Its main attraction is the Templo de San Pedro y San Pablo, which formed a part of a convent complex founded by Franciscan monks in the 16th century. The church was later rebuilt, and today it is preceded by an enormous atrium with tall trees and a notable stone cross, carved with reliefs of the Passion of the Christ. In the interior of the Capilla del Sagrario (Tabernacle Chapel) exists a baroque altarpiece with paintings, and in the Presbytery, a monumental baptismal stone font. Adjacent is the more recently built Casa Cural, with its two cloisters.
At the Very Least
The principal attraction in the Parque Las Sequoias are the very old, tall trees that gave this place its name: red sequoias from the northwest of the United States that have adapted to the soil of Jilotepec. These trees are the world’s tallest conifers, reaching over 320 feet tall when mature; their average life expectancy is around 800 years. Although the specimens in Jilotepec are small thanks to their youth, their natural beauty still catches the eye. This park also has a playground for kids, as well as sculptures and a cafeteria.
Don’t Miss
- Nearby you can visit the Cruz Doendó, on top of an ancient teocalli (mesoamerican pyramid surmounted by a temple), the original foundation site of the Franciscan monks. Moreover, interest in this area revolves around the Sierra de Jilotepec, with its forests and rock formations such as Dexcaní Alto, 2 kilometers away, where there are footpaths through Las Peñas, through a small valley, or climb peaks such as La Cruz or Iglesia Vieja.
- Very close to Jilotepec is the Bioparque Estrella, a nature visitor center where you can see different species of animals, take a boat trip, and fly down a zipline.
- Take advantage of the location to visit Canalejas, San Francisco Soyaniquilpan, Calpulalpan, Arroyo Zarco and Polotitlán, places that form a part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Inland Road).