Municipality of San Manuel Colohete
San Manuel Colohete is a municipality in the Department of Lempira in Honduras. In the indigenous dialect, «Colohete» means «Scorpion’s Nest».
In the population census of 1887, it was a hamlet of Concepción Colohete in the municipality of Gracias. During the administration of President Terencio Sierra, it was officially created as a municipality on February 2, 1901.
The inhabitants of this place were subjects of the brave chief Lempira.
Geography
It is nestled halfway up a mountain. The hills and mountains around it are very steep and irregular. In terms of vegetation, some mountains have pine and oak trees, while others have dry sub-tropical forests, and some have shrubs.
The climate is temperate, except during summer. Forest exploitation is not applicable to this municipality. Its villages and communities are located in the large depressions around the main town.
Boundaries
San Manuel Colohete has the following boundaries: to the north with the municipality of Gracias; to the south with the municipalities of La Campa and San Sebastián. To the east with La Campa; to the west with the municipality of San Sebastián and the department of Ocotepeque.
- Land area: 172 km²
Resources
Due to its elevation above sea level, the surroundings are suitable for coffee cultivation. Corn and bean crops are very common in the area. It also has electricity in the main town and mobile communication services.
Livestock production only meets local needs, and the derived products are scarce.
In some private homes, fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel are sold. There is a limestone quarry near the main town, which is exploited to meet local demand.
Population
In the case of San Manuel Colohete, descendants of indigenous people represent 70% of the population, while the rest are mestizo individuals.
- Population: In 2001, the population was 10,908 inhabitants. The National Institute of Statistics (INE) projected an estimated population of 13,291 for 2008.
- Villages: 10
- Hamlets: 85
Tourism
It has one of the most beautiful colonial churches in Honduras, with a Baroque-style architecture and ornamentation. To reach this town, one must depart from the city of Gracias. When descending from the community of Santa Teresita towards the main town, a distance of about 35 km is covered, passing through La Campa. Six kilometers before reaching the destination, there is a well-signposted turnoff to San Marcos de Caiquín.
The town offers lodging and a buffet restaurant. During the fair, there is a lot of tourism, and traders arrive to offer various types of merchandise, including typical crafts. The Town Hall provides internet access.
- Patron Saint Fair: December 8th, the day of the Immaculate Conception.
The Church of San Manuel de Colohete, built between 1600 and 1700 by friars and settlers, features a special construction with exquisitely European and Christian ornaments and delicate details. The walls are made of adobe, and wooden beams support a clay tile roof, typical of Spanish colonial baroque architecture.
The facade showcases reliefs and vines designed to lift the gaze to its bell tower and then to the sky. Above the main entrance, there are two ribbons that guard a cup (Holy Grail) placed on two wings, poised to take flight. The main nave and its interior display many artistic features crafted by master stonemasons and image carvers.
This church is protected as a National Historic and Colonial Heritage by the government of Honduras, as well as by the COLOSUCA Community.
