Sightseeing in Cuernavaca is No. 2 of 13 articles being published with pictures from a 14-day Elderhostel program in Mexico called "Dia De Los Muertos in Oaxaca" celebrating of the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, which has probably the largest such celebration, where we stayed seven nights. Three-night visits were also made to Cuernavaca and Tlaxcala. The program was in October and November 2008.

PICTURED SITES ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS TEXT.

Elderhostel invites participants to "immerse yourself in celebratory rituals for the dead. Roam the halls of imposing palaces and awe-inspiring cathedrals. Embrace the mystery that lies beneath the region's surface in museums and archaeological sites. Absorb the varying differences in three of Mexico's most fascinating cities to discover the traditional significance that defines this intriguing culture."

Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city in the state of Morelos. In 2005 the city’s population was about 330,000. Cuernavaca is located about 55 miles south of Mexico City and is known as the “city of eternal spring" because of its consistent 80°F weather year round. Sugar is still a main agricultural crop in addition to corn, beans, and tropical fruits. Floriculture and beekeeping are also important. Manufactured products include processed foods, pharmaceuticals, clothing, textiles, and automobiles

Now within the city limits of Cuernavaca the Teopanzolco Archeological Site is thought to be an early Aztec site existing between 1350 and 1521 A.D. Its main structure is a large double pyramid, built in the same style as larger pyramids in central Mexico. It is possible to climb the outer base to see the older pyramid within the base. From there a double staircase leads up to the remains of a pair of temples. A mass grave site was discovered here, with 92 men, women, and children, which was part of a sacrificial system. Enough remains have been uncovered to know the large pyramid was surrounded by numerous low platforms and other structures.

The Palace of Cortes (also referred to as the Cuauhnahuac Regional Museum from the Aztec word for the surrounding valley) was built in 1533 over an Aztec temple to be the summer residence of the conqueror Hernan Cortes. It now houses one of Mexico's finest museums, which is probably best known for the murals of Diego Rivera painted in 1929 depicting the conquest of Mexico.

Cortes ordered the construction of the city’s cathedral which served as a fortress as did his palace. During the remodeling of the cathedral in the last 25 years murals depicting the martyrdom of St. Felipe de Jesus were found on the structure’s walls. Original paintings from the 17th century were also found. In the cathedral complex are the Chapel of San Jose, the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, the Chapel of Carmen and the Temple of Tercer Orden.

The Robert Brady Museum opened in 1990 to show off its collections assembled by Robert Brady who lived from 1928 to 1986. Born in Iowa, Brady’s career in the fine arts was spent at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tyler Arts Center of Temple University and the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania. He lived in Venice for five years before moving to Cuernavaca in 1962 where he purchased the former meteorological observatory of the Franciscan seminary (a part of the cathedral) and began renovations on what would become his final home.

He had traveled extensively during his lifetime adding to his collections. He accumulated major works of art by Rufino Tamayo, Frida Kahlo, Miguel Covarrubias, Maurice Prendergast, Marsden Hartley, Milton Avery and Graham Sutherland. His collection of more than 1,300 works also includes Mexican colonial furniture, pre-Hispanic figures and tribal art from Africa, the Americas, Oceania, India and the Far East displayed in the fourteen rooms open to the public.

Brady acquired a mosaic of contrasting styles during his lifetime, and the colorful rooms are exactly as he left them. Brady lavishly entertained royalty, diplomats and the international jet set during the nine months of each year that he lived in Cuernavaca.

Brady was buried in his garden with his dogs so he could forever inhabit his beloved Cuernavacan home.

Xochicalco is a pre-Columbian archaeological site about 20 miles southwest of Cuernavaca which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. The main ceremonial center is on an artificially leveled hill, with remains of residential structures, mostly unexcavated, on long terraces covering the slopes. The site was first occupied by 200 B.C. but did not become an urban center about 700 A.D. At its peak between 700 and 900 A.D., the city may have had a population of up to 20,000 people. About 900 A.D. the city was burned and destroyed.

Of special interest are sculptured reliefs on the sides of some buildings. Other structures on the site include several other step-pyramid temples, palaces, three ball courts, sweat-baths, an unusual row of circular altars, and a cave with steps carved down into it.

An index of articles related to this trip can be seen at our home page: http://www.worldisround.com/home/jdtan/index.html

If you have any questions, email them to me at jdtanner@a5.com rather than including them in your remarks at the bottom of the photo page.

Diane Tanner