The MEX 120 leads from the turning to San Joaquín through the magnificent scenery of the Sierra Gorda to Jalpan (770 m (2527 ft); population 25,000), approximately 95km/59mi distant. This small town is situated in an area of sugar-cane and coffee production.
It is worth visiting the Indian-style Baroque church, which is dedicated to St Jacob and was built between 1751 and 1758. In the lower part of the façade the imperial double eagle is combined with the eagle of the Aztecs, which is eating a snake.
The legendary Franciscan Father Junipero Serra was responsible for the construction of the church. He was commissioned with the conversion of the Indians in the area and later founded several missions in California, which developed into San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Clara in the present-day USA. Serra and his brothers founded four more missions in the vicinity of Jalpan, whose churches are worth viewing for their striking Baroque façades: Concá (38km/24mi), Landa (22km/14mi), Tilaco (49km/31mi) and Tancoyol (60km/37mi).
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