Travel Guide Gracias

Gracias is an enchanting place to stay in western Honduras. The first colonial village founded in Honduras, it has its authentic traces, and restoration works in progress should gradually restore its antan of yesteryear. The surrounding area offers wonderful walks: in the national park of Celaque, which hosts the highest mountain of the country drowned in a cloud forest of all beauty, or to the small villages lencas with magnificent colonial architecture and rich cultural and artistic heritage.The village of Gracias a Dios was founded in 1526 by Captain Juan Chávez and then moved on his current site in 1539. His name, recounts the legend, finds origin in the cries of rejoicing and relief pushed by the Spaniards to discover a fertile valley after so many days spent in the mountains.On 16 April 1544, the Audiencia de los Borders was established, converting the village into the legal centre of Central America. Short-term glory, since the Audiencia was moved to Antigua Guatemala in 1548. Since the construction of several churches, Gracias has gradually millenniums, and the growing importance of Santa Rosa for the tobacco industry did nothing to fix things.The breath of the past sweeps these uneven narrow streets, these failed facades and barren overhauling roofs. An undefined charm is emerging and it is not uncommon to stay longer than expected on the spot.On, the lenca hero, is celebrated as of July 20. If you are in the corner on January 20 th, don't miss the Guancasco de Gracias, very special: Blacks participated in the ceremony and carried an icon of the Malinche, this native of Mexico who became acquainted with conquistador Cortés and helped to deceive and defeat the Aztecs (notably through his role as translator). This "pact" of friendship is sealed with the village of Mejicapa, whose patron saint is Santa Lucía.The village of La Outside also celebrates its Guancasco on February 24 with the village of Belén. Other ceremonies are also organized with the villages of San Sebastián, San Manuel Colohete or Caiquín.