#ValledeBravo Valle de Bravo “Pueblo Mágico” since 2005 WELCOME Welcome to one of Mexico’s most beautiful MAGICAL VILLAGES, which was founded 486 years ago following the Spanish conquest. Its colonial architecture, scenic surroundings, pleasant climate and above all its people, traditions and customs, make it a great place to visit and enjoy a wide variety of activities. These include exploring its cobblestoned streets and experiencing its old-world tranquility, or wandering down to the edge of the lake to take in its spectacular sunsets and appreciate the surrounding pine and oak woods. Geographical Information Near Mexico City North DONATO GUERRA East West AMANALCO IXTAPAN DEL ORO, AND SANTO TOMÁS DE LOS TEMASCALTEPEC PLÁTANOS AND . OTZOLOAPAN. South TEMASCALTEPEC VALLE DE BRAVO LOCATION The municipality comprises 68 The Municipality of Valle de Bravo is communities, of which three are located on the western side of the urban centers, these being the State of Mexico and covers a total town of Valle de Bravo, Villa de of 421 square kilometers. Colorines, and the village of Avándaro. Natural Resources Median annual temp. 32°C (90°F) 6000 feet above sea level The seat of the municipality is 6000 feet above sea level; the climate is temperate and subhumid, with a rainy season lasting from June to the end of October; the median annual temperature is 20°C (68°F), with a maximum of 32°C (90°F) and a minimum of 1.3°C (34°F). Valle de Bravo forms part of the Rio Balsas watershed, which contains 5,458 reservoirs, making it one of Mexico’s most important catchment basins, due both to its extension and to the volume of water it contains at the Rio Cutzamala basin. The municipality has three dams, these being Tiloxtoc, Colorines and Valle de Bravo, which is by far the largest, with an area of 21 square kilometers; the three lakes form part of the Miguel Alemán Hydroelectric System. The vegetation in the Valle de Bravo basin varies depending on the climate; pine and oak forests predominate, with oyamel fir trees found in the highest reaches of the municipality, oak trees in more humid areas to the south and huizache ( a kind of acacia) at lower, drier altitudes. Population Not heavily populated 61,560 POPULATION The mucipality of Valle de Bravo is not heavily populated in relation to its size, with a population density of 143 inhab. / km2. Its population currently stands at some 61,560 inhabitants. Historical Background Called Valle de Bravo since 1861 THE NAME OF VALLE DE BRAVO The first settlers in Valle de Bravo were Otomí and Mazahua tribes, who lived in what are now the districts of Santa María Ahuacatlán, La Peña and Otumba. Valle de Bravo’s name in pre-Colombian times was Temascaltepeque, which means “Hill of the Steam baths” in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs; the root words being “temazcalli” (steam bath) and “tépetl” (hill). During the colonial period the name was changed to San Francisco de Temascaltepec. Following Mexico’s Independence it was known by several other names, such as, Temascaltepec del Valle, Villa del Valle and Ciudad Bravo. It has been called Valle de Bravo since 1861, when the state legislature renamed it in honor of the hero of Mexico’s Independence movement, Nicolás Bravo. Tourism Facilities Hotels & Restaurants VARIETY OF SERVICES Valle de Bravo has a wide variety of tourist accommodations and supplementary services such as restaurants, bars, discotheques and venues for entertainment and relaxation alike. Total hotels 110 Total rooms 1,559 Total guests 4,515 Total restaurants, bar 56 Tourism Activities Offers everything you can dream of a tourism destination ACTIVITY SUPPLIERS PARAGLIDING 6 HORSE RIDES 2 MOUNTAIN BIKE 4 BOAT TOURS 7 GOTCHA 2 GO KARTS 1 ARCH 1 GOLF 4 SPA SERVICES 6 TOURS 3 TIROLESA 1 SAILING 2 RAPPEL/TREKKING 2 MOTOCROSS 3 STAND UP SURF 1 SKYDRIVE 1 SKI 1 TOURISTIC INFORMATION 2 The Valle de Bravo Lake Part of the hidroelectric system THE LAKE The Valle de Bravo dam was built by the Federal Electricity Commission (C.F.E.) in 1947 as part of the Miguel Alemán Hydroelectric System to provide Mexico City with electric power. The system is no longer in operation, and the seven dams that comprised it now form part of the Cutzamala Water System, which pumps water to Mexico City. Main Square Enjoy music, food and traditions VISIT THE MAIN SQUARE On Sunday afternoons in Valle de Bravo’s main square you can listen to band music played live in the kiosk as you stroll and try some corn on or off the cob (“esquites”), “campechanas” (pastries) or some natural, fruit-based ice cream. A wide variety of tacos, “pambazos” and “tamales” are also readily available in the square every day. San Francisco de Asís Parish Church Made of three naves THE CHURCH Named after the patron saint of Valle de Bravo, St. Francis of Assisi, the parish church in the main square boasts columns and arches on its facade. The interior of the church is made up of three naves; a holy-water font and a seventeenth-century baptismal font carved from a single piece of stone are the main items of interest. A carved wooden figure of St. Francis can be seen in a niche in the central nave. Municipal Market Sample traditional mexican dishes THE MARKET This is the place to go to delight in Mexico’s traditional flavors, fragrances and colors. Seasonal produce includes avocados, peaches, walnuts, corn, strawberries, along with a wide assortment of freshly gathered forest mushrooms during the rainy season. You can also sample traditional Mexican dishes, among them barbacoa, quesadillas and the typical “cecina” or salted meat. Arts and Crafts Market Promotes traditional crafts ARTS & CRAFTS Built in 1984 to showcase and promote Valle de Bravo’s traditional arts and crafts, the market features handicrafts such as glazed pottery, wrought iron goods, embroidery, open-work lace, high-temperature ceramics and pine- needle basketwork. Plaza Mazahua Mazahua tribe crafts MAZAHUA´S CRAFTS The main arts and crafts of the Mazahua tribe are embroideries, textile openwork and carved wood Ceramics Center High temperatura pottery CERAMICS Famous for its beautiful, high-quality pottery, Valle de Bravo has a Ceramics Center where high-temperature pottery (1,100 °C/ 2,000 °F) is made 365 days a year. Mirador La Cruz Good place to watch sunsets PANORAMIC VIEW An excellent spot for panoramic views of the lake and village of Valle de Bravo, the La Cruz vantage point is also a good place to watch sunsets Mirador La Peña Enjoy view of the lake and Valle LA PEÑA Inhabited by the Matlazincas in pre- Hispanic times, the rocky outcrop of La Peña dominates the surrounding area.. A 30-minute climb following a well- worn path takes you to the top, which affords stunning 360° views of the lake and village of Valle de Bravo, making it a good spot for photography buffs and for enjoying Valle’s spectacular sunsets Parque El Pino It is some 700 years old THE GIANT TREE Commonly known as The Pine, this tree is actually an “ahuehuete” (“Old man next to water”) or Montezuma cypress, which is native to Mexico. It is some 700 years old, measures 25 meters (82 ft.) in height, and weighs about 96 tons. Legend has it that Valle de Bravo was founded here by Franciscan friars on 15 november 1530. Joaquín Arcadio Pagaza Museum Built in XVII century MUSEUM Built in the traditional style using adobe and wood with red roof tiles, the house was probably built during the first half of the seventeenth century; it was here that Joaquín Arcadio Pagaza spent his childhood and youth before becoming a writer and Bishop of Veracruz during the nineteenth century. The house is now a museum, library and cultural center. Archaeological Museum Regional ceramics samples CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Well worth a visit, the museum illustrates the cultural development of Valle de Bravo and the State of Mexico in pre-Colombian times, with some well- preserved examples of regional ceramics. Church of Santa María Ahuacatlán Oldest Church in Valle BLACK CHRIST Located near the shores of the lake, Santa María is the oldest church in Valle de Bravo. It is famous for its Black Christ above the main altar, revered throughout the region for its miraculous powers. Carmel Maranatha Used for spiritual retreats PLACE FOR CONTEMPLATION Built by the order of the Barefoot Carmelites as a place of prayer and contemplation, Carmel Maranatha is located a few kilometers outside Valle de Bravo and is used for spiritual retreats. Río del Molino Enjoying a short walk RIVER The Río del Molino (Mill River) is ideal for a picnic or for enjoying a short walk ,and is located a short taxi ride from the village on the road to Avándaro. Surrounded by forest and suitable for trout fishing, the river eventually leads down to the lake but one can walk up from the roadside to the waterfall, which is opposite the Misión Refugio del Salto Hotel. Refugio del Salto Waterfall 15 meters (50ft) high AT THE EDGE A path follows the edge of the Río del Molino and leads to the Refugio del Salto waterfall, which is approximately 15 meters (50ft.) high. A great place for a short hike or a picnic, where one can see orchids on the trees above the river and fish for trout during the dry season. Velo de Novia Waterfall 35 meters (115ft) high LARGEST WATERFALL The Velo de Novia or Bride’s Veil waterfall forms part of the San Juan river, which meets the lake at the Velo de Novia inlet.