Zihuatanejo de Azueta

For many years a series of beautiful, life-sized statues depicting the women of the different areas of the Mexican state of Guerrero (the state that we are staying in) with their typical regional dress, hair styles and accessories, was stationed in a park outside of the busiest traffic area of downtown Zihuatanejo. These statues located in a place where they were unseen and unappreciated by most of the public.

In 2010, the municipality made a decision to wipe the dust and cobwebs off of these beautiful sculptures and put them in key areas around the downtown core of Zihuatanejo. They were placed along the walkways and walking streets, where local residents are able to see and enjoy them daily. Tourists and visitors would have the chance to learn more about the details of the Women of Guerrero and easily have their photos taken beside them.

We cannot take credit for all the photos as it was a super bright day and not good for taking photos. I found some on the internet.

These seven sculptures represent the seven geographical regions of the state of Guerrero:

1. Zihuatanejo’s Costa Grande Woman stands right in the main plaza and basketball court in front of Playa Municipal, with her head held high and one foot propped on a rock. On her knee is a tub full of fish.

2. The Woman of the Tierra Caliente sculpture is squatting elegantly in the shade of one of the giant old trees next to the basketball court in downtown Zihuatanejo. A rebozo (shawl) is wrapped around her shoulders and she is holding a large round pot.

3. Zihuatanejo’s Woman of the Northern Region wears a beautifully embroidered skirt and blouse and is holding a carved masked representative of the crafts of the area. Her long hair is in a braid over her shoulder.

4. The statue of the Woman of the Central Region of the state of Guerrero is on a pedestrian walkway. She stands holding a clay pot in one hand and she is lifting up her skirt with the other.

5. The Woman of the Region Montaña is wearing a traditional Mexican Huipil and is seated on a carved wooden chest. Her hair is in a double braid.

6. The Woman of the Costa Chica is, in fact, two statues - a strong and beautiful woman with features showing the African influences found along this section of the coast. She is dressed in an embroidered dress and holds a jug of water on her shoulder. Her daughter is smiling at her side.

7. The Acapulco Woman is mermaid-like and represents the women of the Pacific coast. Her hair is loose and curly from the salt spray. She lounges against the rocks, wearing a bathing suit and a pareo tied around her waist.

There were a few more statues that we saw. There were several bronze crocodiles near the river and a few statues of men - a fisherman and a man holding a large rifle.

There is one more of Christ the King that we didn’t see. This one was created in 2007 and was dropped 8 meters into the bay where divers can view it. It weighs about 1.5 tons and is 4 meters tall. It’s heart is made of a collection of keys that people donated. I found a photo of the underwater statue and posted it here.Les mer