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Villahermosa
is the City Capital of the State of Tabasco and is located 863 km from
Mexico City by the federal highways 180 and 150 in Mexico.Villahermosa
is an important city because of its industries (cattle, oil,
agriculture, commerce and fish). Villahermosa is surrounded by the
Grijalva, Carrizal and Mezcalapa Rivers.
One of
Villahermosa main attractions is its cultural background. Among the
interesting places you can visit are:
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Templo de la
Concepcion,
The
idea of building the church arose in 1799, when a Spanish
captain promised the inhabitants he would give them a Virgin of
the Concepcion. As a result they built a hermitage to house the
gift, which arrives a year later. The church was destroyed
during the North American invasion of 1846, and rebuilt in 1859.
The church was demolished again in 1925, during the religious
persecutions, and reconstructed in 1945. It stands opposite the
Palacio de Gobierno. |
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Museo de La Venta
(La Venta Museum)
the most important of its kind in Tabasco, is a stunning
combination of nature and archaeology. It is divided into two
mains sections, one zoological, the other archaeological. The
first houses native fauna, such as jaguars and crocodiles. The
second display ancient Olmec monuments. There are 33 sculptures:
altars, steal and colossal heads, carved from basalt and other
volcanic rocks. Before beginning the tour of the monuments.,
visit the Hall of Archaeology with exhibitions on Olmec life.
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Plaza de Armas (Main Square).
The plaza,
is a pleasant spot where locals got to
chat go to listen to music at the weekend. It overlooks the Grijalva
river and the boats that ferry to and fro across the river. There is a
pedestrian bridge from the plaza to the opposite bank. From the viewing
tower on bridge there are stunning vistas of the river.
egional Museum of Anthropology Carlos Pellicer.
Visitors to the museums are greeted by the smile of a gigantic Olmec
face. The tour begins with displays of ancient artifacts hailing from
Tlatilco and Teotihuacan, followed by the Totonacs from the Gulf coast,
Zapotecs and Mixtecs from Oaxaca and Mexica from the central highlands.
The first floor is devoted to the two ancient cultures who settled in
Tabasco: The Olmec and the Maya. The mezzanine showcases the museum's
finest pieces, including the exquisite "Pellicer goblet".
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Tabasco
History Museum,
One of the most beautiful buildings in Villahermosa, known as
the "House of Tiles" is the Regional History Museum, set in the
middle of the Zona Luz. On display are a variety of tiles
imported from Barcelona, as well as objects representing the
history of the state and the life of years gone by. In showcases
two 18th century oil paintings, an anonymous one depicting St.
Anthony of Padua, and other one showing "The Divine Visage".
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Tabasco History Museum,
One of the most beautiful buildings in Villahermosa,
known as the "House of Tiles" is the Regional History Museum, set in the
middle of the Zona Luz. On display are a variety of tiles imported from
Barcelona, as well as objects representing the history of the state and
the life of years gone by. In showcases two 18th century oil paintings,
an anonymous one depicting St. Anthony of Padua, and other one showing
"The Divine Visage".
The Popular Culture Museum,
Right in the center of the city, on calle Zaragoza, stands the Popular
Culture Museum, which showcases the handicrafts and cultural expressions
of the state's ethnic group. The museum display carved gourds from Jalpa
de Mendez, together with a variety of Tabasco costumes, such as those
worn by the Pocho dancers in Tenosique, and at carnival time, those of
the Caballito Blanco dance.
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The La Polvora Lagoon
where there is a park with:
Artificial
waterfalls
Lookouts
Palapas
Games for
children
Snack bars
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Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace).
As in
Spanish cities, Government House is located in the main square or
Plaza de Armas, in a building inaugurated. Built in a sober
neo-classical style, its main features include a staircase made from
local hardwoods, and the ironwork of the stair and grilles, the
bronze locks, polished glass and furniture, all of which were
imported from France.
Catedral de Nuestro Seņor de Tabasco
(Cathedral). Its towers
can be seen from virtually any point in the city and although
construction began in 1963 and as yet to be completed, the cathedral
has an architectural force that distinguishes it from other
buildings. The forerunner of the cathedral was the Iglesia del Seņor
de Esquipulas, built in 1976 and destroyed between 1928 and 1934.
The Tomas Garrido Park
Laguna de las Ilusiones
(The Illusions Lagoon)
The Corregidora Square
The Tabasco 2000,
Villahermosa's most
modern district dates from the late 1970s and early 1980s, and
is traversed by the Carrizal river. The city hall and the state
Administrative Center are located here, along with residential
areas, a shopping center, offices, a golf course, the
Planetarium, the Convention Center, four and five-star hotels
and restaurants.
The Tabasco 2000,
Villahermosa's most
modern district dates from the late 1970s and early 1980s, and
is traversed by the Carrizal river. The city hall and the state
Administrative Center are located here, along with residential
areas, a shopping center, offices, a golf course, the
Planetarium, the Convention Center, four and five-star hotels
and restaurants
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Parque Tabasco.
With its attractive lagoon and extensive gardens, this
108-hectare park is one of the most important in the
country, in terms of infrastructure. There are three
service zones, exhibition areas, a livestock hall,
open-air theater cockfight arena, a dolphinarium and car
parks. Parque Tabasco plays host to the annual Feria
Tabasco, the state's huge fair.
The Planetarium,
Its main objective is to
disseminate scientific theories, as well as the arts,
for which it has sophisticated projection equipment.
Visitors can also admire the striking mural by the
Tabascan painter Daniel Ponce Montuy depicting the
mythological world of the Maya.
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CICOM Area Olmec &
Maya Research Center,
One the banks of the Grijalva, not far from the Zona Luz, is
CICOM, an area housing the Jose Garostiza Art Center, where
acting and dance classes are given, among other activities,
the Esperanza Iris Theater and a commercial area. It is also
the site of the Carlos Pellicer Regional Anthropology &
History Museum and the CEIBA Art School
You can also take a one-day
tour into the Captain Beulo boat on the
Grijalva river,
where the best regional cuisine from the State as well as
International food can be tasted
Zona Luz (Light
Zone). A good
place the begin your tour is the so-called Zona Luz, the
heart of the city. its inhabitants unhurriedly as well as
its late 19th century and early 20th century buildings.
Calle Juarez, the main avenue, is tree-lined and has park
benches where you can have a rest and enjoy the tropical
atmosphere. The Zona Luz has a wide selection of open-air
cafes, arts galleries and museums.
n Villahermosa La Feria del
Desarrollo (the Development Fair) is celebrated in April
with an exhibition of the main production of the State.
During this fair takes place the election of "La Flor Mas
Bella de Tabasco" (the Most Beautiful Pageant of the State).
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