Santa Clara del Cobre Mexico Copper Workshops and Museum

Why visit Santa Clara del Cobre

The Purépecha people were the most advanced metalworkers of ancient Mesoamerica, and the town became the leading copper smelting center of New Spain after its founding in 1553. Vasco de Quiroga gave local artisans the exclusive right to make cazos, large cauldrons still used across Mexico, and the forges also produced stills, casks and church bells.

The industry collapsed after fires and economic troubles, then revived after a copper fair began in 1946. Today the town has about 250 registered workshops, many run by families, and most residents work in copper.

The town and its copper

The plazas

The center is made of two plazas. One has a kiosk with a copper roof and benches painted to look like copper, and shops selling copper wares face it. The other is plainer, with the town's two main churches.

Museo del Cobre

Just off the kiosk plaza, the Museo del Cobre holds hand-hammered pieces from pre-Hispanic times to the winners of the annual copper competition. One section hosts classes in workshops, and the museum is home to the Artisans' Union, which accredits smiths.

Copper workshops

Making a piece usually takes four people to heat the metal, turn it and hammer it into shape, and items take from four days to a month to finish. Many workshops allow visitors to watch, and ask before taking photographs. The studio founded in 1972 by artists James Metcalf and Ana Pellicer helped bring national attention to the craft, and Pellicer introduced copper jewelry made by women.

Parish of Santa Clara

The parish church and the Chapel del Hospital face the plain plaza. Miguel Hidalgo, the priest later known for the independence movement, served as sacristan of the parish church in 1788. Step inside for a quiet look, and take a moment on the plaza afterward before heading to the workshops.

Festival and craft traditions

Feria Nacional y Concurso del Cobre Martillado

The national hammered copper festival takes place in late August or early September, around the feast day of Saint Clare. Its centerpiece is a competition with more than eighty prizes, and the program includes a parade, dances, music, fireworks and food tasting.

Cazos and cookware

The cazo is the signature item. Large copper cauldrons are still used to render fat and fry pork skin into chicharrones, and smaller pieces suit your kitchen as well.

Lakes and nearby towns

Lake Zirahuén

Within the municipality, this deep blue lake is surrounded by mostly pine forest and offers hiking paths, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and camping. Trout live in the lake and rivers.

Pátzcuaro

About 18 kilometres away, Pátzcuaro is a colonial mountain town with a charming zócalo and a Pueblo Mágico designation. Its lake is a protected wetland with close to 200 bird species, and the boat docks serve the island of Janitzio.

Opopeo and Casas Blancas

Beyond the municipal seat, communities such as Opopeo and Casas Blancas make chairs, rag dolls and wooden objects. They are a good extension for visitors interested in crafts beyond copper.

Morelia

The state capital lies about 79 kilometres away and has a historic center listed by UNESCO. Many visitors treat Santa Clara as a stop on the way between Morelia and Pátzcuaro, and its cathedral and plazas reward an evening walk if you stay overnight.

Food and local flavors

Michoacán is the home of carnitas, pork cooked slowly and then fried in a large pot, which fits Santa Clara perfectly, since the copper cazos are made here.

Food stalls and small restaurants around the plazas serve regional dishes, and during the festival stalls fill the center, so you can sample several specialties in one afternoon. Try uchepos too if you see them, since fresh corn tamales are a state tradition.

Where to stay

Santa Clara del Cobre town center suits visitors who want to be among the workshops and plazas, though rooms are fewer than in larger towns and tend to fill during the copper fair.

Lake Zirahuén suits travelers who want pine forest, quiet and outdoor activities, with camping among the options. Morelia has the widest choice, from historic hotels to modern ones, and suits those who want city dining and an airport nearby.

Best time to visit

The best-known event is the national copper festival in late August or early September, around the feast of Saint Clare. The summer months bring rain, and the climate is temperate, so bring a light waterproof layer. Outside the rainy season the weather is clear and pleasant for walking and lake visits, though mountain evenings are cool at this altitude.

Getting there and getting around

Santa Clara del Cobre is 18 kilometres from Pátzcuaro and 79 kilometres from Morelia. Morelia has a regional airport and a large, modern bus station with frequent buses to Mexico City, about four hours away, and to Guadalajara.

Driving gives the most flexibility, especially if you want to reach the lake and the craft villages in one day, with toll roads linking Morelia to Mexico City and Guadalajara.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Arrive in the morning, walk the plazas and visit the Museo del Cobre.

Second day

Drive to Lake Zirahuén for a morning walk, then continue to Pátzcuaro for the afternoon. If you are heading to Morelia, stop there on the way back.

Practical tips

• Carry cash, because many workshops and food stalls do not take cards.
• Ask before photographing artisans at work.
• Wrap copper pieces well and ask about shipping heavy items.
• Check museum and workshop days, since small businesses may close on certain days.
• Wear layers, as the altitude means cool mornings and evenings.
• Book lodging early for the copper fair.