South of the Silencio River, the monotonous hammering of copper sounds familiar like the tolling of a bell. In Santa Clara, copper is a lifestyle. The Purépechas already worked copper before the colony, making jewelry, masks and pots. During colonial times, Santa Clara was recognized for the quality of the work of its artisans. The copper of this Magical Town became universal when it was transformed into a cauldron for the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games.

Santa Clara was founded around a convent of Poor Clare sisters. Today it is a traditional Michoacan town, with its kiosk —of course, made of copper— its squares and its temples. Less than a block from the museum, visit the Nuestra Señora del Sagrario temple, dedicated to Santa Clara, with its copper chandeliers, and the Immaculate Conception temple, with its polychrome wooden vaults.

Each house in this Magical Town houses a workshop, where the copper technique is passed from father to son for generations. A visit to the National Copper Museum is essential, with an extraordinary collection of competition pieces. In the patio, a forge in operation, with various artisans at work. After learning about the process and the hard work that goes into it, it’s time to succumb to the irresistible desire to find a unique piece in the town’s shops.