Chignahuapan: Lagoon, Murals and Distinctive Buildings

Chignahuapan offers a variety of experiences: at Laguna Almoloya, walking and fishing take center stage, while buildings and murals offer insights into religious and artistic themes. Particularly striking is the Mudéjar Kiosk, built entirely of wood, with a fountain at its center. If you are looking for a vacation rental in Chignahuapan, these different experiences can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Open architecture and distinctive religious buildings

The Mudéjar Kiosk is a Chignahuapan landmark and is considered unique of its kind nationwide. It stands on a raised platform and is open on all sides, with no walls. Columns or pillars support the roof, which has eight lanterns. From the outside, you can appreciate its open, clearly structured design; the fountain at its center is an equally unusual and tangible focal point. The kiosk was built in 1871. Its entirely wooden construction and fountain set it clearly apart from the town’s religious buildings.

The Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol was built in the 16th century. As a Baroque religious building, it features gilded altarpieces and intricately crafted sculptures. Other features include stone walls, frescoes and altars that speak of religious devotion and cultural heritage. Those interested in architecture and religious art will find points of interest here that differ from those at the open-air Mudéjar Kiosk.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception houses a 12-meter-tall statue of the Virgin Mary, carved entirely from cedarwood. It is considered the largest covered depiction of the Immaculate Conception in all of Latin America. In 1999, the church was granted the status of a basilica and recognized as part of the cultural heritage for the sculpture preserved there. The statue’s size and the wood used give this visit its own focus within Chignahuapan’s religious art.

Murals, lagoon and local festivals

The Catrinas Mural Walk turns Chignahuapan’s streets into an open-air gallery: the murals feature Catrinas and skulls and celebrate the Day of the Dead. The artistic corridor leads to Laguna Almoloya and pays tribute to José Guadalupe Posada’s Catrina. It is ideal for walks, urban photography and viewing the work of local artists. The Cosmogenic Mural offers another theme. It explores the symbolic and spiritual richness of Nahua thought and is located in a public space.

Laguna Almoloya is a few blocks from the center. It is a place to walk and relax, and also invites visitors to fish. Alongside murals and buildings, it offers a different kind of experience: time by the water rather than in front of architecture or art. When choosing a vacation rental, the lagoon’s proximity to the center can be a helpful guide for planning your time in town.

The festivals also bring together a variety of themes. On November 1, the Festival of Light and Life includes a procession from the town center to the lagoon in honor of the deceased. The Patron Saint’s Festival on July 25 includes a procession from the Santuario del Honguito to Cerro del Calvario. During the annual festival, the Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol and its surroundings come alive with music, dance and colorful processions. At the Santuario del Honguito, you can learn the story of the Honguito and admire the chapel’s simple architecture.

Discover more destinations

If you would also like to explore other destinations: Pahuatlán, Tetela De Ocampo, Tlachichuca, San Pedro Cholula, Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Puebla De Zaragoza, Tepeojuma and Santa María Coronango.

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