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All Mexico Metepec Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay)

Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay)

A collection of incredible clay crafts, complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids.

Metepec, Mexico

Added By
Mario Yair T.S.
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Día de Muertos Offering.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Día de Muertos Offering.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Pottery.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Sculptures and a skeletal mermaid.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
The giant clay pot.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Church of Metepec.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Mermaid Life Tree.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Tiny calaveras beauty contest.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Mexican city of Metepec is known for creating clay pottery. To show off some of these exquisite works of art, the Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay) was born.

The museum's collection covers only one floor of the museum. Although it looks like a small exhibition, the complexity and details of each piece make it worth a stop.

Near the entrance, you'll find a charming clay mural made by children. Next, you'll spot what Guinness World Records claims is the largest clay cooking pot in the world, which chefs used to cook the world's largest serving of tacos.

You'll also see a variety of Tree of Life sculptures. These typically show biblical scenes, but the ones in the museum depict much more. Take a good look at these works of art, and you'll see mermaids, animals, and historical figures, including a tree detailing the life of Frida Kahlo. 

The pitcher area might not seem interesting if you don't get close enough to see the decorations. But once you take the time to appreciate the details, you'll see things like skulls, lizards, and even jokes and phrases about drunkenness painted on pots, cups, and vases.

The sculpture area has a scaled-down reproduction of the Church of Metepec, complete with people going to mass in carriages, walking, or on horseback. The anatomy of some of the sculptures and the details of the original scenes are remarkable.

But without a doubt, the most surprising part of the museum is the collection of miniatures. There, you'll spot a tiny party of skeletons, pots the size of a finger, and the smallest object of all: a Tree of Life that represents a fashion show of skulls that measures just three centimeters.

Related Tags

Clay Museums And Collections Museums Collections Art Miniatures

Know Before You Go

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Entrance is free. The museum provides information about the artists behind the artwork, including info on where you can order original art. 

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Community Contributors

Added By

Mario Yair TS

Published

January 9, 2020

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Sources
  • https://sic.cultura.gob.mx/ficha.php?table=museo&table_id=1658
  • https://www.mexicoescultura.com/recinto/67563/museo-del-barro.html
  • http://disfrutametepec.com.mx/lugares/museo-del-barro/
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=NuFfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA88&lpg=PA88&dq=guinness+world+records+clay+pot+mexico&source=bl&ots=HYnY8qeOqH&sig=ACfU3U0241hYF6vUEDJ-tvorHQ3AgmCgfA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiD5IDL8e_mAhVqRN8KHUyIAbQQ6AEwEHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=guinness%20world%20records%20clay%20pot%20mexico&f=false
Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay)
9C Av. Estado de México
Santiaguito-Barrio
Metepec, 52140
Mexico
19.250221, -99.602064
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Nearby Places

Pino Suárez Linear Garden

Metepec, Mexico

miles away

Manuel M. Villada Museum of Natural History

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miles away

Museo del Alfeñique

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Metepec

Metepec

Mexico

Places 2

Nearby Places

Pino Suárez Linear Garden

Metepec, Mexico

miles away

Manuel M. Villada Museum of Natural History

Toluca, Mexico

miles away

Museo del Alfeñique

Toluca, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Metepec

Metepec

Mexico

Places 2

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