The best exponent of the mountains
The road that has to be traveled to reach the Sierra Gorda is wonderful. On the route you can appreciate the different ecological levels of the Sierra and enjoy spectacular views.
Jalpan, of Nahuatl origin, means: place on sand (Xalli = sand and pan = on). In 1976 the surname of the missionary Fray Junípero Serra was added.
It was recognized as a Magical Town in 2010, for its exuberant heritage wealth, which we can admire in its Biosphere Reserve, in the Jalpan Dam, and in the religious legacy of the Franciscan Missions, not to mention the gastronomic and cultural variety that adorns this town.
In addition to this designation, it has others of great ecological and cultural relevance, such as Natural Heritage of Humanity (Man and Biosphere) in 2001, and Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Franciscan Missions) in 2003, both designations by UNESCO. Not counting those designated by CONANP, as a Biosphere Reserve in 1997, and a Ramsar Site (Jalpan Dam) in 2004.
In Jalpan are the Missions of Jalpan and Tancoyol, which stand out in their facades for the very interesting iconographic elements that represent a mixture of Catholic evangelization with the indigenous worldview.
Jalpan Dam
Named in 2004 as a RAMSAR Site for being a Wetland of International Importance.
This place is the habitat of various species of migratory birds and other more local ones. Its main function is aimed at irrigating crops, supplying water for the community and fishing for self-consumption, although in recent years, it has been especially attractive for tourists as a recreational space, allowing activities such as sport fishing, kayaking, boat or water bike rides, and of course bird watching.
A destination that is committed to ecotourism
One of the most visited sites to practice ecotourism is the Jalpan dam or the Rio Adentro Cave, which are fed with water by the Chuveje and Escanela rivers belonging to the basin located in Pinal de Amoles.
In these two tourist sites you can do bird watching, flora, hiking, cycling and swimming; activities that will allow you to take your senses to unique emotions.
High-value handicrafts
The artisans dedicate their time and knowledge to take advantage of the natural resources that Jalpan offers, and make art through them.
Ceramics: In the community of Soledad de Guadalupe, Jalpan de Serra, a group of women make various ceramic products such as; cups, plates, vases, tequila makers, gravy boats, sugar bowls, bells; these being the most representative.
Liquor and sweets: Rancho el Exilio, is located in the community of Acatitlán del Río, where guava liquor, ate, tea rolls with cajeta and walnuts, as well as other presentations, are made. The guava used is produced in the region and the sweet is made by hand in a family workshop.
Palma: In the community of Las Nuevas Flores, a few minutes from the Tancoyol delegation in Jalpan de Serra, various families of Pame origin make handicrafts with palm among which colorful fruit bowls, vases, piggy banks, earrings, bags, necklaces, fans and more stand out.
Saddlery: The family workshop "El Gavilán" is located in the community of El Rincón de Tancoyol, just a few minutes from the Delegation. They make fine saddlery articles with embroidery in pita, silver thread or engravings. The items include: pocket knife cases, cell phone, key chains, purses, quarters, belts, among others.
Bee Honey: The workshop is located in the community of Rincón de Tancoyol, a few minutes from the delegation. Here they package bee honey that meets the highest quality standards in its production. It is marketed under the name "Xi'Oi Teenek Honey", in addition to offering nectar, pollen and royal jelly.
At Casa de Artesanía de Jalpan, bee honey produced in various communities in the region is for sale, since it is one of the largest groups.
It was created in 1997, in order to protect the eco-diversity of the place. Jalpan along with other neighboring municipalities make it up, having an area of 383,567 hectares, which is 32% of the state territory.
It was created in 1997, in order to protect the eco-diversity of the place. Jalpan along with other neighboring municipalities make it up, having an area of 383,567 hectares, which is 32% of the state territory.
Properties that keep history
It is located inside one of the oldest buildings in Jalpan: a fort built in 1576 that also served as a prison for more than 50 years. Since 1991, this building houses and exhibits a representative sample of the artistic, cultural and historical heritage of the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro. In addition to dedicating a room to the interpretation of the Biosphere Reserve, in this museum there are several pre-Hispanic pieces that were located in the surroundings of this town, as well as documents, photographs and old maps of the region.
Tancama Archaeological Zone.
Its maximum splendor occurred in the years 700 to 900 of our era, and here the Huastec culture settled. The place was governed by ceremonies and astronomical knowledge, activities that took place in the three uneven squares that we can see in the enclosure, and that give the impression of imitating the nearest hill, which accounts for the intervention that nature had in their daily life.
It is said that when the Chichimecas arrived in this region, the Tancama area was already abandoned and it is presumed that this group took over the area for some time.
Saucillo Community Museum.
This museum room has the purpose of exhibiting and publicizing the origin of the community, through different eras. In it you will find various items from prehistory such as gomphotherium fossils (an animal older than the mammoth); the pre-Hispanic era, the Spanish conquest and the spiritual conquest of the Sierra Gorda, here there is a digitized replica of the Virgin of Our Lady of the Sea by Herrera.
Tancoyol Community Museum (Pame XI ́OI)
Located within the Tancoyol delegation. In this Pame Community Museum, the culture and roots of the municipality of Jalpan de Serra are reflected, as well as the traditions and particularities of this ethnic group.
With a meticulous selection work with characteristics of the region and the Pame culture, the showroom recreates an atmosphere of tradition, framed by sotol decoration, woods, traditional offering and museographic, which shows typical and distinctive elements of the culture. This space aims to let residents and visitors know the history, origins and ways of life that provide communal identity to the town.
Mountain flavors
Jalpan offers you a gastronomy that surprises the most demanding palate.
It is enough to approach the traditional cooks, the stalls of the tianguis, and the small restaurants in the area to find the delights of these areas.
A trip to Jalpan would be incomplete without tasting a delicious cecina serrana: dried beef, marinated with sour orange and salt, accompanied by red enchiladas.
Another delicacy of regional cuisine is the zacahuilt, a huge tamale made with hammered corn, different chiles and pork or chicken, all wrapped in banana leaves and cooked overnight in wood-fired ovens, its unique way of preparation, as well as the flavor of this Huasteca delicacy will leave you speechless.
If you are craving, we invite you to enjoy the gorditas de frijoles, gorditas de horno; They are made of corn dough and yeast, baked with wood and with a sweet flavor that you will not want to stop eating them. Wild fruit stews such as: izote flower and prickly pear prickly pear, zucchini and chayotes.
Of course, you can't miss the scrambled eggs, eggs on the comal accompanied by a coyol sauce (very small red tomato).
Don't forget to try a teja corn atole (sunflower seed), a wild guayabilla atole or a delicious puzcua atole; Made from corn and accompanied with a piece of piloncillo, pacholes made with corn, sweet or savory as your palate likes. Alfajores made with chickpeas, corn husk tamales in red, green, cheese or sweets, delicious bread with a touch of pulque, chiles in pulque, bocoles, similar to corn gorditas, but with lard.
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