First settlers in Valle de Bravo were the native tribes of Otomíes, Mazahuas and matlatzincas; zone was conquered in 1478 by the Aztecs that built fortresses in the zone nowadays known as “La Peña”, which ruins were discovered in 1872.
After the fall of the Aztec empire at the Spaniards hands, The Franciscans were the first religious group to arrive in 1523 to “Villa of the Valley” as it was known back then; after that, Dominicans, and then Augustinians. In 1861 the town was named Valle de Bravo and in 1878 it officially became a city. In 1899 the Works for the City Hall started.
In Valle de Bravo, you will find three different cultures blending. The eldest tribe is the Otomíes with their “smiling eyes”; Otomí artisans are the ones that craft unique pots. Matlazinca tribe is the next, they are much reowned and the eldest artisans, quarry workers, precious stones prospecters, feather weavers, goldsmiths of gold and silver. The mazahuas, even though they were the latecomers, are the biggest racial group nowadays; they are textile artisans from pre-Columbian times. Back then, they imported exotic feathers from Mayan areas to add them to their textile creations. These days they are still the beholders of the best kept secrets to create the most extraordinary pieces of art.
First settlers in the county were The Matlalzincas, who established themselves in what are now the neighborhoods of Santa Maria Ahuacatlan, La Peña and Otumba. In 1432, Aztec king Axayacatl, conquered the whole region, establishing the last Aztec fortress, bordering with the Tarasco empire; the Spaniards witness their fall a century later. In 1530, Fray Gregorio Jiménez de Cuenca founded San Francisco Temascaltepec del Valle (Valle de Bravo’s local Saint); in 1839 the name was changed to Villa del Valle. In 1861 was given its current name, Valle de Bravo. And in 1971 was named Ciudad Tipica de Valle de Bravo.
During Mexican Revolution, Valle de Bravo was the most important county in the zone, due to that and its strategic location, it became a primary target for the Mexican Revolutionary troops. It was attacked SIX times by Zapata and Carranza troops leaving it in despair and desolation. First attack in 1912 was commanded by Francisco Gómez y Manuel Díaz (AKA The Fat Guy). Second attack took place in October that same year, with 3,000 armed men commanded by Limon, Alberto Samano y General Pacheco. They set the City Hall on fire and brought the glorious past of Valle de Bravo to ashes. Third attack took place in 1914 by General Medrano; General Alcantara commanded the fourth attack and settled his headquarters in Atescapan, fifth in 1916 and sixth in 1917, commanded both by Canito Flores, who led 3000 men. Zapata troops destroyed Tingambato bridge, an important bypass for Tierra Caliente merchandisers. This was a lethal wound for Valle de Bravo, who saw how such an important source of income just vanished.
Originally called Temascaltepec, Valle de Bravo was a little town on a riverside in the middle of a valley. In 1947, as part of Miguel Aleman energy system, a water dock was built over the river where rain water flooded, giving birth to an artificial lake in the middle of the Valley. The lake is the perfect place for Sailing and skiing. The looks of the place are very peculiar and display a strong Michoacan influence using wood, adobe and brick, as well as white walls, covers, tile roofs with eaves, vestibules and balconies. Let us not forget that Valle de Bravo was named Magical Town after its inhabitants as they have so dearly behold all its historic and cultural traditions, and also because their of sweet look, their bright colors, their passion for everyday details, the aromas and flavors that lift-up the spirit; those beautiful cobblestone streets, tiles that have been darkened by time and neatness in general.
Valle de Bravo is the best place for hang-gliding and kites, that usually take off from La Cruz Hill, 8,200 ft. high; and it is also the best place for golfing and horse riding. Northwest direction you will find a group of rocks called "La Peña" where there are pre-Columbian ruins, snake sculptures, cave paintings, and also archeological pottery.
Main attraction is definitely the water dock or lagoon where a wide variety or water and extreme sports take place. The Little town itself is very well known because of its typical architecture from the Colony times, and attracts hundreds of tourists. It’s a place nestled in the middle of the mountains where you can practice mountain biking, motorcycling (Endure, motocross, ATVs), para-gliding, delta wing flying and horseback riding. In the lake, you can do fishing and catch some rainbow trout, Tilapia and Carp of Israel; sailing boat regattas and water ski. On the other hand, this town features three 18 hole profesional golf courses and an endless number of typical, international, Italian and French food restaurants, ; shopping centers with art, handcrafts and deco stores.
Every year, several festivals are celebrated: The souls festival; the music and ecological festival; also, a series of international festivals celebrating and displaying folk dance, contemporary dance, theater plays; photo expos as well as short films, local Mexican and foreign groups, etc.
The lake has become one of the main attractions in town; in which people practice sailing and water ski mainly. Hiking and horseback riding around are also very popular among visitors in this zone; mainly because there are several hill tops offering unparalleled views. Among them, "La Peña", which is a huge rock formation that takes a 30 minute hike to climb up and offers an spectacular view, as well as the Monte Alto observation deck and El Divisadero. Monte Alto is one of the most popular take off points for delta wing and hang-gliding in Mexico; and El Peñon, 8.6 miles away from Valle, it’s a free-flying very well known international spot.
Night life is also very attractive. In Valle de Bravo is very easy to find fun places. There are several bars offering a fun ambiance and live music.
