| San Luis Soyatlán | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
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San Luis Soyatlán
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Mexico |
| State | Jalisco |
| Municipality | Tuxcueca |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 3,097 |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | Central Daylight Time (UTC-5) |
| Postal Code | 49440[1] |
| Area code(s) | 376[2] |
San Luis Soyatlán (pronounced: [san ˈlwis soʝatˈlan]) is a town located in the state of Jalisco in central-western Mexico, and is part of the municipality of Tuxcueca.[3] It is the largest population of its municipality, where more than 60% of the population exists, and generating 70% of revenues.[4] Sitting on the south shore of Lake Chapala, and about 45 minutes south from the city of Guadalajara.[5][6][7]
Its name comes from two languages, a Castilian; "San Luis" which refers to the patronage of the saint of the population; Saint Louis of Toulouse, and the other "Soyatlán" which is Nahuatl meaning "place of soyates" (the fiber of soyate is the primary subject for Mexican mats and hats).[4]
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It is known that the municipality of Tuxcueca was inhabited before the Spanish conquest; San Luis Soyatlán was founded by nomadic Chichimeca tribes who settled on the side of the river Las Cerretas. Some years before the conquest this region was invaded and governed by the King of the tarascos, Tangaxoan Tzíntzicha who took over the coveted saltpetre fields of Zacoalco and Sayula. By the end of the early 16th century this led to the Saltpetre War against the King of Colima.[8]
Since its establishment as an official town, it was formerly part of the municipality of Jocotepec. However due to the intervention of General Ramón Corona, on April 20, 1886 the town of Tuxcueca stands itself as a municipality, during the tenure of Governor Francisco Tolentino, separating from the municipality of Tizapán el Alto. In 1888, October 1, San Luis Soyatlán was added to the municipality, separating from Jocotepec.[9]
The locality of San Luis Soyatlán is perhaps the strongest of the municipality as far as the tourist sector goes. This locality is a very urban-like site, since the highway (Mexican Federal Highway 15) crosses right through the middle of the town. And throughout the same route are different commercial premises, stores, an inn, restaurants, ice cream parlours, fruit shops, pharmacies, among other commerce.[9]
Eden Ecological Park of over 40,000m2 located next to the lake’s southern shore consisting of two docks, grills, playground, tables, walks, two streams, a monumental fountain, palm tree lined base, cypresses, grasses, shrubs, bathrooms, meeting areas, and a view of the northern shore.[4]
Templo de San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (Catholic church in honor of Saint Louis of Toulouse) home as an adobe chapel in 1564 by the French Sebastian Vilches and Christopher Berlanga, it was completed on December 22, 1885 (without tower).[4][9] standing in front of a Square Atrium with religious statues, a forum, meeting rooms, restrooms and public parking. It is the main place for public events.[4]
The Plaza de Armas (Main Plaza), dates from the fifteenth century has undergone several renovations, has benches, a gazebo, trees, a fountain and commercial area.[4] In front of the plaza, located on the south side, is the Municipal Delegation or the regional City Hall. Construction of a seventeenth-century style with arches, where municipal services are delivered (public safety, ATM, water, land registry, and mail).[4] And an Apeadero The seventeenth-century portals traditionally used for commercial purposes.[4] The central zone also has a Municipal Market, a regional gastronomic area, that sits right across from the plaza and south of the church’s atrium[4]
Capilla del Señor de la Salud (Small catholic chapel in devotion to the Lord of the Health) is located a few blocks from the main church of San Luis Soyatlán. This Christ is revered and is considered miraculous (among local Catholics), so it is important to include it in recommended sites to visit in the municipality.[4][9]
Situated less than 5 km south of the population, located on a hill top of about 273 meters higher than the lake shore, is the Mirador y la Cruz (a viewpoint and cross). Where a big metal cross stands “overlooking” the north shore of the lake and the town itself, with a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe nearby.[4][6][9][10]
El Salto (“The Jump”) waterfall over 30m (three stages) in height, it’s visited mostly during the rainy season.[4]
Among the natural attractions of the surrounding landscapes include The Garcia Mountain, the highest mountain on the lake’s shore, with almost 2,600m in height. Providing a high view of the entire lake, Sierra del Tigre, Huejotitán Valley, to the basin of Sayula and El Picacho.[9] It also has small caves at the summit where some vessels and ceramics have been found.[4]
The natural wealth available to the municipality is represented by 10 thousand 400 hectares of woodland, where mainly oak and pine species predominate.[9]
Fiestas Patronales are festivities in honor to Saint Louis of Toulouse. These patron saint festivities are held from the 10 to the 19 of August, with pilgrimages around the town, morning masses with early morning mañanitas in devotion to the saint and during the evening; rides, fireworks, balloon posts, food stands, and serenades in the main plaza. The days are resettled annually so that the festivities end on a Sunday, whether they are delayed or advanced as long as most of these days fall between the 10th and the 19th, which makes these festivities to always begin on the second Saturday of August.[11]
Like most common fiestas patronales in Mexico, each day is given a guild. Every guild is given a particular group of people to fund it, along with one of its four districts: San Juan District, San Miguel District, San Pedro District, or San Francisco District.[12] The guilds are as follows:
Every day (depending on the guild) is given a color. The people whose day their given, wear a sash of that color during the traditional pilgrimage done during each afternoon before mass. The current colors are as follows:
Enramadas (huts or hut season) are festivities held throughout the entire lent period. A time when huts, serving food and drinks, are placed at the town’s lake riviera park.[13]
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