Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca, located 90 kilometers southwest of Mexico, is a popular weekend getaway for many wealthy Mexicans, some who have sumptuous second homes here. Due to its excellent climate, Cuernavaca is called “The City of Eternal Spring” and has been a favorite retreat since the time of the Aztec emperors—even Hernán Cortés and Emperor Maxmillian had homes here. The city has a strong Colonial heritage, but traffic congestion and crowded, unkempt streets detract a bit from its ambiance. You will find that most of the mansions and lovely hotels hide away behind high walls, displaying a lush beauty with gardens and inner courtyards once you enter through the thick, wooden doorways. If you want to stay overnight, or indulge in a delicious meal in an exquisite garden setting, one of our favorite hotels, Las Manañitas, is highly recommended. SIGHTSEEING IN CUERNAVACA Plaza de Armas: Cuernavaca’s main plaza is faced by several Colonial buildings including the Palacio de Cortés and the Palacio de Gobierno, but the Colonial style in the area of the plaza is not pristine since modern buildings managed to slip in before architectural controls were put in place. Cathedral: Cuernavaca’s cathedral is within a walled complex of churches that includes not only the 16^th-century cathedral, but also the 18^th-century Templo de La Tercera Orden de San Francisco and, the 19^th-century Capilla del Carmen.Palacio de Cortés: The Spanish king bequeathed 30 cities to Cortés, including Cuernavaca, which was supposedly his favorite, and here he built a mansion known as the Palace of Cortés just off the main square. This is now a fine museum displaying many photos of the Revolution, costumes, arms, and splendid murals by Diego Rivera. The exhibitions are well displayed and many have explanations in both English and Spanish.Museo Robert Brady: This museum, housed in a lovely Colonial home that was owned by Robert Brady, contains over 1,300 diverse pieces of his art. Brady, born in the backwaters of Fort Dodge, Iowa, settled in Cuernavaca in 1960. He was a decorator who loved antiques, sculptures, and paintings and had a fabulous, eclectic collection of art and handicrafts from all over the world. The home is just as he left it. It is on a pretty side street between the cathedral and the Palace of Cortés.