Orizaba Attractions
How to get there
From Mexico City by rail approximately 8 hours; by bus about 4 hours; by car 275km/171mi on the MEX 150 D.
Orizaba lies in a fertile valley in the eastern Sierra Madre surrounded by mountains. It experiences heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures. Some 275km/171mi from Mexico City and 150km/93mi from Veracruz, the town is both an important centre of communications and one of Mexico's major industrial centres. Despite this it has been able to maintain its colonial character to some extent. Its fertile surroundings and moderate climate have helped the steady development of agriculture and industry within the town. There are coffee and fruit plantations nearby, as well as marble quarries and power stations; the Moctezuma cement works, cotton spinning and weaving mills have become established in the town.
History
This once unimportant Indian settlement was conquered by the Aztecs in the mid-15th c. and turned into a military base called Ahuaializapán (Náhuatl: "pleasant waters"). The Spanish occupied this strategic point in the 16th c. Emperor Maximilian and his wife Charlotte enjoyed staying here in their hacienda "Jalapilla" on the outskirts of the town. In 1973 an earthquake destroyed part of the old town, including the bullring.
From Mexico City by rail approximately 8 hours; by bus about 4 hours; by car 275km/171mi on the MEX 150 D.
Orizaba lies in a fertile valley in the eastern Sierra Madre surrounded by mountains. It experiences heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures. Some 275km/171mi from Mexico City and 150km/93mi from Veracruz, the town is both an important centre of communications and one of Mexico's major industrial centres. Despite this it has been able to maintain its colonial character to some extent. Its fertile surroundings and moderate climate have helped the steady development of agriculture and industry within the town. There are coffee and fruit plantations nearby, as well as marble quarries and power stations; the Moctezuma cement works, cotton spinning and weaving mills have become established in the town.
History
This once unimportant Indian settlement was conquered by the Aztecs in the mid-15th c. and turned into a military base called Ahuaializapán (Náhuatl: "pleasant waters"). The Spanish occupied this strategic point in the 16th c. Emperor Maximilian and his wife Charlotte enjoyed staying here in their hacienda "Jalapilla" on the outskirts of the town. In 1973 an earthquake destroyed part of the old town, including the bullring.
Museo del Estado de Veracruz
Works by European and Mexican artists are displayed in the Museo del Estado de Veracruz, which is housed in the former church of San Felipe Neri and was opened in 1992.
San Miguel Church
Massive fortress-like San Miguel Church stands on the north side of the Parque de Castillo. This interesting many-towered church was built between 1620 and 1729. The square bell-tower also serves as a meteorological observatory. One of the church's several towers is Mudéjar in style and covered with tiles. The notable sacristy contains inlay work, as well as murals and pictures by the native artist Gabriel Barranco (19th c.).
Town Hall
The Palacio Municipal (Town Hall) is a curiosity. This green and yellow building, constructed entirely from steel, once served as the Belgian pavilion at the World Exhibition of 1889 in Paris. It was dismantled and transported across the Atlantic to Orizaba and officially opened in 1914.
Orizaba Surroundings
Pico de Orizaba
Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépeti), at 5700 m (18,707 ft) Mexico's highest mountain, lies on the border with the state of Puebla about 30km/19mi north of Orizaba. It is best climbed from its west side.
Prese de Tuxpango
About 6km/4mi from Orizaba on the MEX 150 a short side road leads to the Presa de Tuxpango (Tuxpango dam and reservoir) on the Rio Blanco. The village of Tuxpango, which lies almost 800 m (2625 ft) below, can be reached by a cableway.
