Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Seiryudo Cave – named after Seiryu, the Azure Dragon, this cave features deep vertical columns surrounded by dense vegetation.
Genbudo Park
Hunter House Hamburgers
Jesus Backpacker
One of the chamber’s rooms.
Dr. Wolf’s Wunderkammer
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Our producer Manolo Morales would spend his final days perusing the shelves at Book Off.
Where Would You Go to Wait for the Apocalypse?
12 minutes ago
This event showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region’s amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity culminates with a Grand Tasting on August 23.
The Atlas Obscura Guide to Traverse City’s Event Season
about 21 hours ago
She’ll get you and your little dog too.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Explore Witch History Without the Kitsch?
about 22 hours ago
How to Turn Your Road Trip Into a Nature Scavenger Hunt
about 22 hours ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Mexico Angahuan Troje Murals of Angahuan

Troje Murals of Angahuan

Artwork celebrates the local culture in the region around the world’s youngest volcano.

Angahuan, Mexico

Added By
linkogecko
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Troje and murals.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Anonymous Paricutín mural.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 1943, when the ground of Dionisio Pulido's farm split open and steam burst through the gap, he probably did not realize that he was witnessing the birth of a volcano. The creation and the eruption of this new volcano, called Paricutín, led to the destruction of the town of San Juan Parangaricutiro.

Today the volcano, its lava fields, and the towers that remain from San Juan's church are a tourist attraction. A series of colorful murals illustrating the history of Paricutín and the people of the region can be found at the visitor's center in Angahuan, the nearest town. A majority of the murals are the work of José Luis Soto.

Soto, who was born in the neighboring state of Guanajuato in 1955, is known for his colorful mosaic murals. His works in Angahuan decorate the outer walls of four trojes, a type of wood cabin. These trojes break with tradition because they are built out of sturdier materials, in order to sustain the weight of the mosaics. The murals depict the beliefs and customs of the indigenous Purépecha people, many of whom live in Michoacán state.

One of the murals depicts the Sun deity Tata-Juriata as one of the entities that originated life, and its fire is related to the one that gave birth to Paricutín. Another depicts a scene of Purépecha women across generations, highlighting the importance of matriarchal relations in their culture.

The ballgame known as pelota purépecha (and also pasárhutakua ch'anakua or uarhukua chanakua), which has been played since pre-Columbian times, is shown in one mural. In the piece, the ball is on fire to represent the movement of Tata-Juriata and the moon deity, Nana-Kutzi, across the sky. Soto's fourth mural depicts a Purépecha elder telling these and other tales to younger generations as part of the yearly New Fire ritual.

A fifth mural created by an anonymous artist depicts the eruption of Paricutín and the destruction of San Juan Parangaricutiro. Angahuan emerged from the volcano’s birth relatively unscathed, and this piece of art remains a powerful reminder of how unpredictable nature can be.

Related Tags

Murals Mosaics Indigenous Cultures Art Volcanoes Geology
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Oaxaca: Markets, Mezcal & Home-Cooked Meals

A Culinary and Cultural Journey Through Oaxaca.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

linkogecko

Published

December 25, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.purepecha.mx/threads/3323-El-Origen-Del-Mundo-En-La-Mitologia-P-urh%C3%A9pecha
  • https://www.cultura10.org/purepecha/pelota/
  • http://www.espejel.com/joseluissoto/obra-mural-1990-1999/
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/angahuan/attractions/volcan-paricutin/a/poi-sig/1467715/361675
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/angahuan/attractions/volcan-paricutin/a/poi-sig/1467715/361675
  • http://www.purepecha.mx/threads/5127-Pas%C3%A1rhutakua-ch-anakua-Prehispanic-ball-game-El-juego-de-la-pelota-Pur%C3%A9pecha-de-origen-prehisp%C3%A1nico
Troje Murals of Angahuan
Av. Paricutin
Angahuan, 60202
Mexico
19.540437, -102.233693
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Iglesia de Santo Santiago Apóstol (Church of Saint James the Apostle)

Angahuan, Mexico

miles away

Viejo San Juan Parangaricutiro

Angahuan, Mexico

miles away

Paricutin Volcano

Angahuan, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Angahuan

Angahuan

Mexico

Places 4

Nearby Places

Iglesia de Santo Santiago Apóstol (Church of Saint James the Apostle)

Angahuan, Mexico

miles away

Viejo San Juan Parangaricutiro

Angahuan, Mexico

miles away

Paricutin Volcano

Angahuan, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Angahuan

Angahuan

Mexico

Places 4

Related Places

  • Wellington Dam

    Worsley, Australia

    Wellington Dam

    This 86,000-square-foot artwork is the largest mural in the world to cover a dam.

  • North Creek Mosaic Project

    North Creek, New York

    North Creek Mosaic Project

    This magnificent work of art captures the spirit of the region.

  • Emmaus Mosaic Mural

    Emmaus, Pennsylvania

    Emmaus Mosaic Mural

    A fascinating community art piece created by students, teachers, and noted Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar.

  • Lewisian gneiss inukshuk.

    Burravoe, Scotland

    The Old Haa's Inuksuit Collection

    These sculptures common among indigenous populations in North America, celebrate Shetland's unique geology.

  • Camilo Egas Mural at The New School.

    New York, New York

    Camilo Egas Mural at the New School

    After surviving abandonment, this powerful Latin American mural is alive again.

  • Mexico City, Mexico

    Mercado Melchor Múzquiz Murals

    Outside a market, beautiful murals pay tribute to fruit sellers and farmers, as well as a few legendary artists.

  • Detail of the mural.

    Ocotlán de Morelos, Mexico

    Rodolfo Morales Municipal Palace Mural

    A little-known hall almost completely covered in art by the beloved local painter.

  • Inside the cave.

    Mejillones, Chile

    Punta Guaque 01

    This hidden pre-Columbian rock art depicts a whale hunt.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.