Tilaco is located in the Mexico state of Queretero. The back road to this remote village is sparsely populated and winds through the Sierra Gorda mountians. While traveling, we found steep climbs through rocky valleys.
In the 1750's, Father Junípero Serra, known as the future apostle of California, ventured with his fellow Franciscans into the rugged Sierra Gorda area of eastern Querétaro state. They set out to evangelize the semi-nomadic Indian tribes who lived there, and gather them into mission towns. Within a few years, their efforts formed five new missions in the grassy valleys of the region. These churches are famous for their elaborate, "folk baroque" facades of painted and sculpted stucco, recently restored to their original, multi-colored condition.
South of Landa, a side road through a green valley to the village of Tilaco, where rustic walls, gateways, and corner chapels frame the pleasant hillside mission of San Francisco. Founded by Father Serra's companion Fray Juan Crespí, Tilaco is the happiest of the five missions, tinted in hues of blue, white and yellowish-brown, and has a neat and slender three stage tower. Its cheerful facade is the most intimate of all the churches, busy with figures of cherubs, mermaids, and angels - some playing instruments, others clutching grapevines or holding tasseled stone draperies, and a few just smiling joyfully.
It was an incredible place to visit, and we feel lucky to have been able to see this small part of Mexico history. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the visit.
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