Not far from La Nuestra, there are wonderful places to visit.

 Below, check out many other sites.

Hacienda San Gabriel de las Palmas ...a small but great luxury hotel

Built in 1529 by order of Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes, to fit into the lush surroundings with its exuberant vegetation and mild climate, it was to become first a Franciscan monastery during Colonial days, later on, it became a sugar mill and finally, Mexico's biggest sugar refinery. Just 80 minutes away from Mexico City in the state of Morelos on the highway which leads to Acapulco you will find La Hacienda San Gabriel de las Palmas, a magnificent 17th century construction which after years of careful restoration has now become a small but great luxury hotel.

Text and Photo by Pascal Etienne Roy

Xochicalco

This astrological site is situated on a hill that was terraced to accomodate the buildings. 

In the Nahatl language, "Xochicalco" means "house of flowers". Its peak was reached between 750 and 900 AD and is one of the most important sites of the classic period.

Text and Photo by Pascal Etienne Roy

Taxco. Gro. Mexico

Built on the sides of the mountains and the edge of cliffs, Taxco is one of the most fascinating colonial cities in Mexico. The pristine white walls of the buildings bring out the clear blue color of the sky. The silhouette of Sta. Prisca Church can be sighted miles off on the serpentine road leading to the city. It is also the renown center for production of silver objects and jewelry.

Text and Photo by Pascal Etienne Roy

Places to see in Cuernavaca and around

Robert Brady Museum www.geocities.com/bradymuseum

House/Museum and Cultural Center 

In the shadow of the Cathedral of Cuernavaca, the Casa de la Torre houses a unique collection of fine and decorative arts from all over the world. The visitor will enjoy a house-museum created in a portion of a massive adobe and stone XVI century Franciscan Monastery.

Cortez Palace    http://www.platiquemos-letstalk.com/cuernavaca/cortes_museum.htm  

             Without a doubt, the most important historical site in Cuernavaca is the  Palace of Cortez, the oldest remaining non-religious building in Mexico.  It was constructed in 1533 by  Hernan Cortez, the conquistador, who chose Cuernavaca over  any other location  in Mexico for his personal residence.  

Jardin Borda

 http://www.clickoncuernavaca.com/Borda

   These large 18th-century gardens were once visited by Emperor Maximilian.

   Located directly across from the cathedral, the Jardin Borda was once the residence of Jose de la Borda, the man known as the Taxco silver king. It was also used as a rest stop for silver caravans between Taxco and Mexico City in the early 1900's.  Along with the lovely gardens, there is a small pond for a leisurely afternoon of rowing; a museum that has both a permanent history exhibit and changing exhibits of local artists and two wonderful gift shops chock full of  books, art posters and local crafts. A restaurant is also located on the grounds.

The Cathedral

  The Church of the Assumption was built under the direction of Cortes in 1525. The view from the fortress battlements and bell tower give you a grand view of the city. There are 3 different churches on the same property, be sure to visit them all, since each one is distinctly different.  The Sunday Mariachi Mass begins at 11:00 - a perfect way to experience a mariachi band first hand. The Cathedral is only a two block walk from the Palace of Cortez and across the street from Jardin Borda.

 

Mercado de Artesanias is adjacent to the Cortes Palace. Before entering the Palace you can see the Mercado on your right. Easy to locate with all the vendors standing nearby ready to sell you colorful baskets and other items. This large outdoor market is home to many vendors selling pottery, silver, masks, carved wood, wooden toys, blankets and many other hand made crafts.  A great place for purchasing gifts for all the family.

Archeological site featuring rock carvings and sculpture. The Chalcatzingo archeological site is found at Km. 93 of the Cuernavaca - Cuautla highway, in the State of Morelos. Located at the base of Cerro de la Cantera, a twin-peaked outcropping in the south-eastern part of the state, the carvings depict mythical and religious themes associated with agriculture and fertility.

The Centro Cultural Muros is devoted primarily to the modern and contemporary Mexican art collection assembled by Jacques and Natasha Gelman. This collection is quite separate from the superb group of 85 works by 20th-century European masters that Natasha Gelman bequeathed to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art upon her death in 1998.

 The 2nd most important city of the State of Morelos. Cuautla's hot springs and lovely scenery make it a popular resort and tourist attraction. Historically, Cuautla is famous for the heroic defense made there in 1812 by patriot forces under José María Morelos y Pavón , who cut through Spanish besieging forces. The city is sometimes called Ciudad Morelos.

A large and interesting Cavern system on the road to Taxco, Guerrero. Located 52 kms. from Taxco, Gro. on Highway 166, the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, or Cacahuamilpa Grottos, make for a fascinating excursion. Guided tours are conducted on the hour as of 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. every day, taking you through approximately 2kms. of the underground labyrinth. Each tour lasts about 2 hours.

Tepoztlan, which means "place of abundant copper", is a small town nestled between craggy cliffs located to the south of Mexico City in the State of Morelos, accessible by the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway via the Cuautla cut-off. The town is about 1,700 meters (5,500 ft) above sea level and at a distance of some 18 kilometers from Cuernavaca. It  has regular bus service from Mexico City, Cuernavaca and neighboring Yautepec. Tepoztlan is a peaceful, mystical village. It is a town of legends and deep cultural roots that has been celebrated by writers, poets, artists and musicians over many decades and centuries. The local residents are fiercely proud and protective of their cultural heritage.The Sunday Market is a popular destination  to shop for  local crafts. 

Tlayacapan 

This is the place of origin of the Chinelos; Tlayacapan is is known for it's clay and ceramic pottery and figurines, both plain and colorfully glazed. and is located 1,630 mts (5300 ft.) above sea level. The first inhabitants of this area was the Olmec civilization. During the XV century, they were conquered by the Aztecs and depended on Xochimilco like other highland towns.

Tlayacapan commercial activity was important as it was the passage way between Tenochtitlan and the regions of the south. Tlayacapan was conquered by Hernan Cortez, and in 1539,Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza endowed him with land. In 1786, when "Nueva España" was divided, this town became part of the province of Mexico.