Santa Clara del Cobre copperwares
Declared a National Historical Monument in 2001, the village of Santa Clara del Cobre, specializing in copper wares, is located higher in the hills above Patzcuaro and about 20 miles to the south, accessible by a somewhat winding secondary road. Driving time from Patzcuaro is about 30 minutes, and buses leave Patzcuaro every few minutes throughout the day.
Santa Clara was an important copper-producing region long before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, although no ore is now extracted from the local mines.
Santa Clara kiosk
The arcades of the quaint town plaza are lined with copper shops; the arches and light posts of the plaza itself are hung with copper planters and the central bandstand or kiosk is roofed and lined with the same metal. Local copper vendors set up their stands under the arcades as well, selling everything from miniature cups and utensils to large, richly gleaming copper caldrons. Visit the town’s Museo del Cobre (Copper Museum) for more history and background to the craft.
A Copper Fair, combined with the fiesta of La Virgen del Sagrario is held in Santa Clara del Cobre from August 10th through the 17th. Festivities include exhibits and sales of hand-worked copper, music and dance.
Hotels:
Two small and reasonably priced hotels are located in Santa Clara:
- Hotel Oasis, on the town square.
Tel. 434-343-0040. - Camino Real, a couple of blocks off the square.
Tel. (434) 343-0281
In 1994 a film was produced by Beate Engelbrecht and Manfred Kruger for the Institute for Scientific Film (IWF) in Gottingen Germany, about the history of copper working in Santa Clara del Cobre.
