Nombre de Dios
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◈ The area is filled with waterfalls, natural pools, and tree-lined streams. There’s also numerous church towers, which first rang out the call to prayer in this corner of Durango.
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◆ Explore Los Salones, a park filled with towering cypresses.
◆ Dig into Doña Aleja’s stuffed gordita corn cakes.
◆ Sample local preserves, candied fruit, fruit wines, and craft beer.
During April, the Carrera del Mezcal is held. This race is a great celebration of sport. It starts on the Magical Town’s main square, and can be run as a 5K or 10K
❖ Parque Los Salones
Here, the landscape is covered by towering Montezuma cypresses that lean over to drink from the Tunal river. The dark blue of the water, the trees’ reflection on the surface of the river, and the tunnel formed by the arching branches of the cypresses give the impression of being in a movie, something that happens over and over in Durango.
❖ Museo Comunitario Contalpa
Learn a little about the history and development of Nombre de Dios.
This small facility has six exhibition halls covering paleontology, technology, archeology, the spiritual conquest, the colonial era, coin collecting, and photographs of Nombre de Dios.
❖ Templo de Jesús de Nazareno
Its doorway is adorned with little angels.
Dating from the 17th century, the doorway of this church is the oldest in Durango. It is baroque in style, and was made in Michoacán because this was a Tarasco settlement.
The church holds some very interesting Christ figures, such as the one in the sacristy. It is the Cristo de la Buena Muerte, which belonged to the Cofradía de la Santa Veracruz brotherhood. It was used to aid the sick and in burial ceremonies. Plus, there is the Árbol de la Vida, named for its tree shape.
One of the most popular figures in the place is one of Santiago Apóstol riding a horse. He has a large number of devotees who offer him clothing and other objects. Perhaps one of the most unusual gifts is a pair of boots with spurs so he can ride around town. There is also a lovely painting of the Ánimas del Purgatorio decorating the church.
❖ Visita Vinata Don Arcadio
This distillery has six wooden vats, copper distilling equipment, and a large millstone called a tahona. They carry out all the steps of mescal production right here—grinding, distilling, and producing—from start to finish. First, they cut out the hearts of the agave plants, then these hearts are put into an oven dug into the ground, where they stay for four days.
Once this time is up, the hearts are pulled out and crushed by the tahona before being moved to the fermentation zone. They stay here for another three to four days. After learning all about the production process, you can take part in a tasting to discover your favorite agave. It is well worth it because the mescal produced in Don Arcadio is only available abroad.
❖ Take In El Saltito from Up High
These waterfalls are even more striking in their semi-desert surroundings. El Saltito is a group of waterfalls plunging 66 feet. Unlike other falls, you won’t look at the waterfalls from below because the Mezquital river has carved out a natural pool. But, you can see them from above the cascades.
The ochers and yellows of the dry ground make an eye-catching contrast with the dark blue water and white spray.
❖ Take a Dip in Ojo de Agua de Berros
On the Banks of the Mezquital river, you can wander among ancient cypresses. The gnarled roots of these trees entwine along the ground, forming odd shapes of bark and wood. Bending over the water, these aged trees create a leafy canopy that is green during the rainy season and reddish in fall.
Wherever you look, the twisted trees, roaring falls, winding stream, and hovering dragonflies will make you feel like you have entered the pages of a storybook.
❖ Carrera del Mezcal
During April, the Carrera del Mezcal is held. This race is a great celebration of sport. It starts on the Magical Town’s main square, and can be run as a 5K or 10K.
