San Manuel Colohete

San Manuel Colohete is a municipality in the Honduran department of Lempira, located approximately twenty miles southwest of the departmental capital of Gracias. The population of the entire municipality is around 16,000 but within the town center about 1,500.

San Manuel’s principal landmark is the late 17th century Spanish-built church. Featuring seven statues of saints set into niches on its massive façade, the interior is painted with an original mud-based paint that is still visible centuries later, as well as a sculpted and gilded altar. Some parts of the church have been recently restored but plans for a large-scale renovation have stalled.The town is also on the route used by hikers coming from or going to hike nearby Celaque, the tallest mountain in Honduras, which dominates vistas around San Manuel.

In order to make it to the municipality capital, the traveler must start in Gracias city. Also, when going down from "Santa Teresita" community to the municipality capital, there are 2 geological faults which keep the road in constant maintenance.

History

In the census of 1887 it was a settlement of a village of "Concepcion Colohete" in

Geography

It is located in a flat part in the middle of a mountain. The vegetation has 3 traits: pine forests, dry sub tropical forests and some of the hills around are covered only with bushes and undergrowth. The mountains and hills around the capital are very steep. The weather is mostly cool, except during the summer season. Its villages and settlements are located on big depressions around the municipality capital.

Boundaries

Its boundaries are:
*North : Gracias municipalities.
*South : La Campa and San Sebatián municipalities.
*East : La Campa municipality.
*West : San Sebastián municipality and Ocotepeque department.

*Surface Extents: 172 km²

Resources

San Manuel Colohete is a very good place for coffee; due to its elevation from the sea level. Beans and corn are very common in this area. The capital has electricity and mobile communications services. Raising cattle is mostly for local consumption. In some houses, people sell gasoline and diesel fuels. Also there is a small limestone quarry, on the way to the municipal capital.

Population

In this case the descendants of Indians are about a 70% of population, the rest is represented by the cross-breed of Spanish and Indians.
*Population:For the year 2001 the figure was 10,908 ; and in accordance with estimates it is expected to have 13,291 for 2008.
*Villages: 10
*Settlements: 85

Tourism

It is about 35 km away, passing by La Campa municipality. 6 km before arriving, is the turn off to San Marcos de Caiquín, properly indicated to the left. The road after La Campa is not in good shape. In the rainy season some sections become very slippery and dangerous. It has one the most beautiful old colonial churches in Honduras. There are amazing landscapes around it. There is a small restaurant there, which serves buffet food, but it is an innovation for the area. Also there is a small hostel but comfortable. For the local holidays, it gets crowded with people and merchants, wo sell plenty handcrafts. The mayor's office provides internet access.
*Local Holidays: "La Concepción Inmaculada" day on December 8th. San Manuel was formerly known as "Concepción Colohete".

External links