Tzintzuntzan

 village, former national capital

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Tzintzuntzan was the capital of the Purhepecha empire and had about 40,000 citizens at the time of the spanish conquest. The old city was abandoned by the people in light of the atrocities committed against them by the first spanish rulers. The old city was located on platforms in the hills above the current location, and was never rebuilt.

Today Tzintzuntzan is an artisanial pueblo specializing in items made from vegetable fiber, such as wheat straw, and lake grasses like Chuspata and Tule. There are also many makers of rustic pine furniture, and stone carvers making the famous Cantera carvings.

Tzintzuntzan is also home to many famous potters, such as Emiliano Molinero, who is world famous for his pre-hispanic designs.

Tzintzuntzan is also famous for it's archaeoligical site, the Yacatas, former ceremonial center of the Purhepecha empire.