Aculco de Espinoza

Aculco de Espinoza is in a region characterized by rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems. The city is located at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level, which provides it with a mild and pleasant climate.

Surrounded by hills, forests, and pristine rivers, Aculco de Espinoza is a paradise for nature lovers. The area is known for its impressive waterfalls, making it an ideal place for hiking, and exploring the Mexican countryside.

Aculco enjoys a temperate climate that is generally mild throughout the year.

The average annual temperature is around 17°C, with variations depending on the season. Rainfall is concentrated during the summer months, making the landscape lush and green, while winters are cool and dry.

Monthly average temperatures:

• January: average monthly 14°C
• February: average monthly 15°C
• March: average monthly 17°C
• April: average monthly 18°C
• May: average monthly 19°C
• June: average monthly 18°C
• July: average monthly 17°C
• August: average monthly 17°C
• September: average monthly 16°C
• October: average monthly 16°C
• November: average monthly 15°C
• December: average monthly 14°C

The rainy season extends from May to October, with most precipitation occurring in June, July, and August. These months transform the region into a verdant paradise, with its waterfalls and natural landscapes at their most impressive.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Aculco de Espinoza is during the dry season (November to April).

During these months, the weather is cooler and more stable, making it ideal for exploring the town’s colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and scenic trails without the interruption of rain.

The word Aculco originates from the Nahuatl word “Atl-Culhuac-Co”.

This means “place where water twists” or “place in the curve of the water”, and reflects the area’s geographical features, as the region is known for its rivers, streams, and natural springs that weave through its rugged terrain.

In the Otomi language, the town is known as N’dome, which translates to “two waters.” This name likely refers to the convergence of water sources or the significance of water in the region’s landscape and culture.

The town was formerly known as San Jerónimo Aculco, a name derived from the San Jerónimo Monastery, that served as a cornerstone of the religious and cultural development of the region during the early colonial period.

Over time, the town adopted its current name, Aculco de Espinoza, in honor of Juan Espinoza de los Monteros, a significant figure who played a key role in the development and administration of the town during colonial times.

Aculco boasts a rich history that reflects the cultural blending of its Indigenous roots and Spanish influence. The town has been a significant site since pre-Hispanic times, playing a crucial role in various historical periods.

Timeline:

• In the pre-Hispanic era, the Otomi people inhabited the area but were later influenced by the Aztecs.
• In 1521, after the fall of Tenochtitlán, Aculco became part of the Spanish colonial territories. In the 1540s, the Spanish established the town as part of their administrative and religious expansion, introducing Catholicism and colonial architecture.
• In 1810, Aculco was a significant site in the Mexican War of Independence. The Battle of Aculco was fought here between insurgents led by Miguel Hidalgo and Spanish royalist forces.
• In 1825, the town officially became part of the State of Mexico following the country’s independence.
• In 2006, Aculco was designated as a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town), recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

Squares

• The Plaza de la Constitución and kiosk
• The square Benito Juárez
• The plazuela Miguel Hidalgo
• The plazuela José María Sánchez

Building of the municipal presidency:

Building of the municipal presidency and its two aqueducts, known as the Arches

Casa Hidalgo:

Very close to the municipal president, is the house of Doña Mariana Legorreta, daughter-in-law of José Rafael Polo. This is the house that provided shelter to Miguel Hidalgo on his way to Mexico City on November 5 and 6, 1810.

It is said that on November 8, 1810, priest Hidalgo officiated mass in the emblematic tree, known by the community as Palo Bendito, in thanksgiving for preserving life, after such a bloody battle.

Parish of San Jerónimo:

In the State of Mexico there are monasteries, churches, and cathedrals that feature Iberian architecture from the 16th century and in some aspects show the influence of local builders, as is the case with the parish of San Jerónimo.

The construction of the parish and former monastery began in 1540, those who come to this place can enjoy the simplicity typical of the Franciscans and the style inherited from the Middle Ages, characterized by buttresses and small windows.

Already in 1674, during another stage of construction, the parish was built in a modified Baroque style called Tequitqui, which is a local interpretation of European forms.

During the tour of the interior, you will see a colorful sundial, an oil painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and a painting by Miguel Cabrera from 1790, The Last Supper, which shows the majestic work of one of the most sought-after artists of the Viceroyalty.

In the former monastery, the oil painting of San Antonio de Padua, the painting of San Juan Nepomuceno and the painting of a Franciscan embracing the Holy Cross stand out.

Sanctuary of Lord of Nenthé:

In this small sanctuary of modern architecture, the image of the Lord of Nenthé or “Lord of Water” is worshiped, to whom various miracles are attributed.

Legend has it that one day the old temple caught fire; the settlers began to look worriedly about the whereabouts of the image; to their surprise, they found it intact at the foot of an oak tree from which a water spring began to sprout.

Until today, when the dry season is very strong, the inhabitants take the image in procession to ask it to rain.

Balneario Municipal:

After some tour of the surroundings, the Municipal Spa (located in the streets of Iturbide and Corregidora), with its Olympic pool, is the ideal place to practice swimming or just cool off.

During holiday periods it is decorated with stalls of typical food, crafts, and musical shows that complement the fun.

Ñadó dam:

Undoubtedly the Municipality of Aculco reserves landscapes of great beauty, the mountainous system of the state culminates here with the Cerro de Ñadó, a spectacular rock of 3,300 meters high that gives its name to the dam.

This immense body of water, located on the side of the Pan-American Highway, in the Toxhie community, is surrounded by typical vegetation of the place.

It is an ideal place to practice activities such as sport fishing, camping, horseback riding, and picnics.

The old Chapel of Nenthé (1702-1943)

Nenthé means “near the water” or “near the river” in Otomi.

The chapel was located on the bank of a stream, in the lowest part of the city. Tradition has it that several families with the surname Ramirez, who lived near this temple and were stonemasons, were the ones who erected it in the early 18th century.

Other legends speak of the apparition of the Holy Christ, who is venerated in a sanctuary near a spring hidden by oak leaves and is known to intercede in times of drought.

Another legend links Christ to the rescue of a rebel soldier who sought refuge in the chapel after the riot that Calleja caused in the troops of Miguel Hidalgo on November 7, 1810.

The primitive chapel had a very simple rectangular plan with a façade facing southeast. Inside, an arch divided the nave of the presbytery, which rose at least five steps higher. The roof was flat, with roof beams and a roof that rose slightly above the presbytery.

The façade had a lattice similar to that of the parish of San Jerónimo Aculco, but without the abundance of carving that characterizes it. The smooth surfaces of the cross, however, could have hidden niches or some quarry work, as was the case with the parish until they were discovered in the 50s.

No one knows for sure why the chapel was destroyed. Some say that it had to see the religious persecution of 1926-1929 or the caciques of the 1930s. Perhaps it was just laziness, as the runoff and humidity in the presbytery show in the photo that appears here.

In 1943 it was decided to demolish it and build a new building.

The result was a chapel that combined the modern architectural trends of the time, such as the parabolic arches of its nave, with the traditional treatment of the plant in the shape of a Latin cross and decorative pseudo-Gothic details.

Nothing is worth more – in authenticity and originality than the old chapel.

Cascada La Concepción

10 km from the municipal seat, on the Aculco-Amealco road, among a rocky landscape, there is a beautiful waterfall that is nourished by the waters of the Ñadó Dam and runs on a causeway with basaltic columns.

In summer the flow makes this waterfall something impressive, which reaches more than 25 m in height.

In addition to a beautiful place that is ideal for those who love extreme sports, basalt walls make La Concepción a perfect place to practice rappel that has more than a hundred routes traced.

Cascada Tixhiñú

Another site worth visiting, located 7 kilometers west of Aculco, is the Tixhiñú waterfall.

It has a drop of 15 meters high on magnificent basaltic stone columns. The strength and beauty of this flow, surrounded by trees and streams, is a spectacle that you can appreciate in the rainy season.

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Aculco is known for its vibrant traditions and celebrations that blend civic pride, religious devotion, and cultural heritage.

Here’s a summary of the key events:

• February 5: Schools organize parades and programs to commemorate the Constitution.
• February 19: The foundation of the municipality is celebrated with a ceremony.
• February 24: A tribute is paid to the national flag with wreaths and flag-raising ceremonies.
• March-April: Holy Week is marked by the reenactment of the Passion of Christ, pulque tours, rallies, bullfighting, and the Golden Huarache Delivery, a humorous awards event. Celebrations also honor the Lord of Nenthé, whose shrine dates back to 1702.
• March 21: Schools hold parades and floats to honor Benito Juárez’s birthday.
• September 15-16: Independence Day festivities include fireworks, parades, cultural programs, and a traditional dance.
• September 17: The Day of Fraternity Aculquense brings families together for picnics, horse races, and community events.
• September 30: The feast of Saint Jerome, the town’s patron saint, features fairs, dances, fireworks, and bullfights.

Horsemanship in Aculco

Charrería, Mexico’s national sport, is deeply rooted in Aculco.

The town regularly hosts municipal, state, and national tournaments, as well as friendly competitions. Visitors can often see horsemen riding through the cobblestone streets, showcasing this cherished tradition.

The traditional dishes of Aculco are the barbecue, the mole poblano, the carnitas, and in seasons, the escamoles.

As for desserts, there is a wide variety of exquisite sweets such as jamoncillos that you can buy and savor during your walks in the area or enjoy rich bread from their artisanal bakery.

Because it is located within the dairy basin, in Aculco it is common to see a diversity of dairy products: delicious cheeses, creams, butter, and milk sweets that local stores sell.

From Toluca:

• Take Highway 55 towards Querétaro
• In Atlacomulco, continue on Federal Highway 55
• A few kilometers after Acambay is Aculco

From Mexico City:

• Take the northern periphery and continue on Highway 57 Mexico – Queretaro
• At kilometer 115 is the diversion to El Rosal and Arroyo Zarco
• Aculco is 15 kilometers from the highway

From Queretaro:

• Exit along Bernardo Quintana Boulevard towards San Juan del Río
• In Palmillas take Highway 55 until you reach Aculco

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