Discover San Felipe del Progreso
Accommodation in San Felipe del Progreso
San Felipe del Progreso is an option for a trip focused on church architecture, murals, and Mazahua culture.
Church and historic center
The Parroquia de San Felipe y Santiago is the focal point of the Centro HistĂłrico de San Felipe del Progreso. It was founded in 1710 and built in 1717. Its architecture combines Neoclassical and Herrerian styles; the tower is designed in the Ultra-Baroque style. A one-day itinerary recommends walking around the center in the morning and visiting the Parroquia for its architecture and viceregal art.
Murals in the municipal seat and municipality
The 2022–2024 municipal plan lists more than 200 murals on the streets of the Cabecera Municipal. Visitors can view various murals by local artists in the garden and at the kiosk in the Centro Histórico.
At the municipal level, San Felipe del Progreso has a dedicated mosaic focus in Estutempan. The main street of the Mazahua community is decorated with 35 mosaic murals. They were created as a legacy of the First International Mosaic Artists’ Meeting, “Nuestra milpa milenaria, Estutempan 2019.”
Art at the Museo Municipal
The Museo Municipal has a large exhibition space for traditional and contemporary art, as well as a smaller space for digital art, sound art, and multimedia expression. The two spaces thus differ both in size and in the art forms they are intended for.
The museum also has a small library specializing in art, design, and cultural heritage, as well as a shop selling handicrafts and works of art.
Mazahua handicrafts and culture
At the municipal level, local artisans produce forged silverwork and textiles. These include wool-embroidered Quexquemitl, as well as vests, coats, and ruana shawls. A one-day itinerary recommends visiting local textile and silversmith workshops and purchasing handicrafts.
The Centro Ceremonial Mazahua enables the Mazahua people to share their culture and showcases material evidence of their history. The center’s museum in Santa Ana Nichi preserves handicrafts and objects representing everyday life among the Mazahua. These include tools for farming, fishing, and hunting, as well as traditional clothing.
Cultural events throughout the year
Recurring events may also be of interest when planning your trip: in March, the Ceremonia del Encendido del Fuego Nuevo takes place at the Centro Ceremonial Mazahua, a ceremony considered a centuries-old tradition. At the level of the wider destination of San Felipe del Progreso, the Fiesta patronal in honor of Nuestro Padre JesĂşs is celebrated on the third Wednesday in January. It includes processions, music, and amusement rides; a fireworks display is one of the pre-festival events. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the latest event announcements in advance.
For the main travel overview: San Felipe del Progreso.
