Huauchinango
| Huauchinango | ||
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| City | ||
| Huauchinango de Degollado | ||
View of Huauchinango
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| Coordinates: 20°10′36″N 98°03′10″W / 20.17667°N 98.05278°WCoordinates: 20°10′36″N 98°03′10″W / 20.17667°N 98.05278°W | ||
| Country |
 Mexico
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| State | Puebla | |
| Founded | 1116-1121 | |
| Municipal Status | 19th century | |
| Government | ||
| • Municipal President | Carlos Martínez Amador | |
| Elevation (of seat) | 1,519 m (4,984 ft) | |
| Population (2010) Municipality | ||
| • Municipality | 97,753 | |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | |
| Postal code (of seat) | 73160 | |
| Area code(s) | 776 | |
Huauchinango is a city in Huauchinango Municipality located in the far north of the state of Puebla in central Mexico. It is located in the rugged Sierra Norte de Puebla mountain region, filled with peaks, ravines and rivers that form waterfalls. The city is home to a locally venerated image called the Señor del Santo Entierro (Lord of the Holy Burial) and also to the area’s main commercial fair, the Feria de las Flores, which promotes the area’s flower production, especially that of azaleas.
The city of Huauchinango is located about 141 km north from the state capital of Puebla with a driving time of about four hours due to the rugged terrain. As of 2010, the city was classified as medium sized with a population of 56,206. The main activities of the city and surrounding areas are agriculture, commerce, petroleum and electricity, especially floriculture, with the growing of azaleas, dahlias, violets and others. Many of these can be seen in the city’s plazas and other green areas. The historic center of the city is marked by traditional architecture with its pitched roofs covered in red tile and iron-railed balconies. The interior of a number of these structures feature ceiling roses or soffits, most of which date from the time of the Mexican Revolution.
The center of the city is the Plaza de Armas main square with the main streets of the center all leading to it. The plaza is filled with gardens and walkways and surrounded by some of the most important buildings. One of these is the municipal palace with a façade with two sets of arches, of which the upper set serves as a balcony.
The main church is the Santa María de la Asunción Temple. It is easily seen by its 84 meter wide and 25 meter tall cupola. Next to this structure is the old monastery complex in which is an important image of a buried Jesus called the Señor del Santo Entierro. Many miracles have been attributed to this image in the region.
There is a cultural center and a municipal library.
The Señor del Santo Entierro (Lord of the Holy Burial) image is that of Jesus as he lay buried after the crucifixion. The story behind the image states that it appeared in Huauchinango about 400 years ago, carried to the city’s Augustinian monastery by a mule driver, stopping overnight carrying a wooden crate. In the morning, the driver had disappeared but the crate remained. Out of respect, the crate was not opened for days and when it was, the image was discovered. Attempts to return it to the driver failed, so it was decided to house the image at the monastery’s main church. The image has a reputation for being miraculous not only due to the large number of miracles attributed to it, but also because it appears not to have aged over the centuries. At some point in time in Huachinango’s history, this image replaced Our Lady of the Assumption as patron saint. However, the annual celebration to honor it was not officially declared until 26 February 1923. This annual event is celebrated by decorating the sanctuary in which the image lies, as well as traditional dancing and singing along with mass. The celebration reenacts the arrival of the image to the city. It begins in the La Aurora neighborhood, with older women decorated with flowers called Xochitonantzi dancing a dance called the Xochipitzahuac. This is then followed by a dance featuring fans. A procession follows, featuring a woman chosen to play the Virgin Mary, but as the Virgin of Guadalupe, who is also acknowledged as an incarnation of the Aztec goddess Tonantzin. The processional path is strewn with flowers as it makes its way to the images sanctuary church.
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Wikipedia