Patzcuaro Attractions

The most important town in the Pátzcuaro Lake region is Pátzcuaro (Tarascan: "place of the stones for temple building"; 2175 m (7138 ft); population 90,000; market day: Friday) situated 4km/2.5mi from the lake.

This delightful little town still presents a picture of the past. While the Indian element continues to prevail in the life of this former Tarascan metropolis, its most attractive old buildings date back to 1550 when Pátzcuaro was a Spanish episcopal see. The memory of the Indians' great protector and teacher, Bishop Vasco de Quiroga ("Tata Vasco", 1470-1565), is still very much alive. The history of the town, which received its charter from the Emperor Charles V in 1553, is closely linked to that of Tzintzuntzan and Morelia.