Actopan, Hidalgo
Encyclopedia
Actopan is a city and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo
, in central-eastern Mexico
. The municipality covers an area of 280.1 km². It is crossed by the federal road that runs from Mexico City
to Nuevo Laredo
and it is located 30 km northwest of Pachuca
, the capital city of the state of Hidalgo.
Actopan is known as the city of the convent and the land of the barbecue. Its name derives from the word “Atoctli” meaning “firm, fertile, and humid land” and the word “pan” meaning “on” or “over” in Otomi. Thus, the name Actopan comes to mean “on the firm, humid, and fertile land”.
Actopan’s original name in Otomi was “Mañutzi” which translates to “my little pathway”.
The Spanish Colonization era in Actopan began in the year 1526 with the Augustine Friars. By the year 1548 the temple and monastery in Actopan had already been built. It was declared a historic and artistic monument on February 2, 1933.
Actopan now consist of more than 20 communities, most of which names derive from the Otomi language.
1865- The state of Hidalgo is divided into 3 departments: Huejutla, Tulancingo and Tula.
1868- The then president of Mexico, Benito Juarez, created the state of Hidalgo.
1946- On May 10, Actopan was declared a city.
Puente De Dios: The site “Puente De Dios” is a natural attraction located in the northern part of the city. It is the product of an erosion from the Magdalena River. There is a pathway in the site for pedestrians and bikers to enjoy the flora and fauna found there.
Mirador del Obelisco: The mirador del obelisco is a slender stone pyramid. It was built as a commemoration to Mexico’s Bicentennial Independence Day celebration. It is known to be the fifth tallest obelisk in the world.
La Eroca: It is the biggest and most beautiful park in Actopan. The park has space for sport activities, an area for grilling, a pool, and public restrooms.
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Actopan is a city full of culture and exquisite foods. It is known for its authentic barbecue dish. Unlike the typical beef barbecue, “Actopan-style” barbecue consist of sheep meat slowly cooked in an underground grill. Aside from this dish, other traditional dishes include: mole, ximbo, mixiotes, traditional candy, cheese, and pulque.
The two main festivities in Actopan are the celebration in honor of the San Nicolas de Tolentino patron that takes place on July 8. This religious celebration include the use of mechanical games and castles that produce fireworks. Another important festivity is the Day of the Dead celebration. During this holiday relatives bring flowers and food to their loved ones in the cemetery.
Municipalities of Hidalgo
The Mexican state of Hidalgois made up of 84 municipalities :...
, in central-eastern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The municipality covers an area of 280.1 km². It is crossed by the federal road that runs from Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
to Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo is a city located in the Municipality of Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The city lies on the banks of the Río Grande, across from the United States city of Laredo, Texas. The 2010 census population of the city was 373,725. Nuevo Laredo is part of the Laredo-Nuevo...
and it is located 30 km northwest of Pachuca
Pachuca
Pachuca, formally Pachuca de Soto is the capital of the Mexican state of Hidalgo. It is located in the south-central part of the state. Pachuca de Soto is also the name of the municipality of which the city serves as municipal seat...
, the capital city of the state of Hidalgo.
Actopan is known as the city of the convent and the land of the barbecue. Its name derives from the word “Atoctli” meaning “firm, fertile, and humid land” and the word “pan” meaning “on” or “over” in Otomi. Thus, the name Actopan comes to mean “on the firm, humid, and fertile land”.
Actopan’s original name in Otomi was “Mañutzi” which translates to “my little pathway”.
History
It is estimated that the Toltecas arrived to an area close to Actopan in the year 674. By the year 1117, another indigenous group called the chichimecas arrived to what is now Actopan and Mixquiahuila. In the year 1113, Xide gave Actopan the name “Mañutzi”. Actopan was under the rule of the chichimecas until the emperor Moctezuma added the area that is now Actopan to his dominion. In 1521, the indigenous Otomies helped the leader Cuauhtémoc defend Mexico against Spanish colonizers.The Spanish Colonization era in Actopan began in the year 1526 with the Augustine Friars. By the year 1548 the temple and monastery in Actopan had already been built. It was declared a historic and artistic monument on February 2, 1933.
Actopan now consist of more than 20 communities, most of which names derive from the Otomi language.
Chronology of Important Dates
1546- Actopan’s founding year.1865- The state of Hidalgo is divided into 3 departments: Huejutla, Tulancingo and Tula.
1868- The then president of Mexico, Benito Juarez, created the state of Hidalgo.
1946- On May 10, Actopan was declared a city.
Sites of Interest
The San Nicolas de Tolentino Temple and Ex-Monastery: This colonial building was built in the year 1546 under the direction of the Augustine Friars. The temple and ex-convent combine elements from the romantic, gothic and renaissance periods. Data from the year 1548 points to Frail Andres de Mata as the person in charge of the construction of the monument. The richness of the monument lies in the still-conserved mural paintings. The San Nicolas de Tolentino Temple and Ex-Monastery were declared a historic and artistic monument on February 2, 1933. It is located in the center of the city.Puente De Dios: The site “Puente De Dios” is a natural attraction located in the northern part of the city. It is the product of an erosion from the Magdalena River. There is a pathway in the site for pedestrians and bikers to enjoy the flora and fauna found there.
Mirador del Obelisco: The mirador del obelisco is a slender stone pyramid. It was built as a commemoration to Mexico’s Bicentennial Independence Day celebration. It is known to be the fifth tallest obelisk in the world.
La Eroca: It is the biggest and most beautiful park in Actopan. The park has space for sport activities, an area for grilling, a pool, and public restrooms.
Food and Culture
- Foods:
Actopan is a city full of culture and exquisite foods. It is known for its authentic barbecue dish. Unlike the typical beef barbecue, “Actopan-style” barbecue consist of sheep meat slowly cooked in an underground grill. Aside from this dish, other traditional dishes include: mole, ximbo, mixiotes, traditional candy, cheese, and pulque.
- Celebrations:
The two main festivities in Actopan are the celebration in honor of the San Nicolas de Tolentino patron that takes place on July 8. This religious celebration include the use of mechanical games and castles that produce fireworks. Another important festivity is the Day of the Dead celebration. During this holiday relatives bring flowers and food to their loved ones in the cemetery.