The tourism credentials of Capulalpam de Mendez, located in the southern state of Oaxaca , were given a boost when it became the thirty-fifth community to be added to the list of Mexico ’s Magical Towns.
“I hereby recognize and express our pride in the array of great attractions that Capulalpam de Mendez possesses, attractions that range from its majestic Church of St. Matthew and its monuments to the flora that make it an ideal destination for ecotourism,” Mexican Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo said in announcing the designation.
Launched in 2001 by the Tourism Secretariat, the Magical Towns program has attracted thousands of tourists who in ever larger numbers are discovering the unique charm of the culture, nature, legends, history, important events and daily life of each one of these places.
According to the Tourism Secretariat, “a Magical Town is the reflection of our Mexico , of what it’s made us, of what we are, and we should feel proud. These are its people, towns that throughout time and in the face of modernity have been able to conserve, value and defend their historical-cultural heritage and manifest that in different ways through their tangible and intangible attributes.”
In addition to its natural wealth and its appeal to aficionados of eco-tourism, Capulalpam de Mendez, located in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, a heavily-wooded area 43 miles from the capital of Oaxaca, stands out for its artistic and cultural wealth, the main highlight being the Dominican Church of St. Matthew, which was built in the 17th century and is best known for its 15 baroque altarpieces.
About the Mexico's Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico ’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico ’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
The municipality covers an area of rugged mountainous terrain at an altitude of 2,040 meters above sea level in a high mountain valley. The climate is predominantly cool and wet. Common flowers include Gladiolus, geraniums, roses, bougainvillea, tulips and calla lilies. Trees include ash, aguilar, ayacahuite, oak, and Madrano ocotal, as well as fruit-bearing walnuts, pears, quince, apple, peach, plum and chokecherry.
Common birds are the eagle, hawk, crow, owl, dove, vulture, bat, swallow, sparrow, lark, quail, pheasant, picocanda and magpie. Wild animals include fox, coyote, badger, armadillo, wild boar, deer, tlacomixtle, opossum, cougar, skunk, tiger, panther, rabbit and paca. The area also has lizards, coral snakes, rattlesnakes, tarantula and scorpion.
As of 2005, the municipality had 326 households with a total population of 1,313 of whom 89 spoke an indigenous language. About 10% of the population is engaged in jewelry manufacture and another 10% work in a stone aggregate plant. Most others are engaged in agriculture. The town has a beautiful 16th century church dedicated to St. Matthew. The church interior is lined by 15 large, ornate, hand-carved religious scenarios that date from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In February 2008 Capulalpam was officially designated a "Pueblo Magico" (magical town), Oaxaca's first and Mexico's 33rd such town. The government also announced plans to construct a traditional healing center. The new designation and the healing center were expected to boost tourism. The center, now open, employs traditional healers who provide medicinal plant therapy, massages, temazcal and herbal baths. The center has a herbal pharmacy and offers basic training courses about a great variety of medicinal plants. The 'temazcal' is a type of sweat lodge that gives physical and spiritual purification using the four elements of fire, air, water and earth to give relief from the stresses of daily life. Participants may reach a level of consciousness similar to that of meditation.
Capulalpam de Mendez Mexico’s Magical Towns