MADERA

Madera city

Caves with houses

A protected cave settlement

The construction of the railroad line from La Junta to Ciudad Juárez and the establishment of a large sawmill promoted population growth in Madera. The forested area is a paradise for birdwatchers, with thermal water spas and an abundance of archaeological sites from the Paquimé culture. The 40 Casas site is among hundreds built in caves, which contribute to their remarkable preservation.

Archaeological Zone

Region Map

Select the place you want to visit on the map and marvel at its tourist attractions.

Some History

Madera was founded in 1906, on the land of the Ciénega de San Pedro. Two reasons attracted the population: the forestry exploitation carried out by the Sierra Madre Land Lumber company and the construction of the railroad that connected them with Ciudad Juárez. This city was the scene of an armed attack on the military barracks on September 23, 1965. A leftist group that sought to destabilize the government, failing to achieve its goal, Madera returned to its quiet life.

Places to Visit

1 min

Madera

Archaeological zone 40 houses

These cliff houses are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their anthropological and archaeological importance, being the most...

Local culture

Food

If they are made of flour, don't even heat them up. This expression has its origins in the rural area of Chihuahua. Flour tortillas are a highly appreciated delicacy. In Madera, winters are very severe, and it is traditional to preserve dehydrated or packaged foods, whether meat, fruit or vegetables.

Tradition and customs

The northern area of the Copper Canyons has only a mestizo population, all of them lumbermen or miners. Agriculture and trade were favored with the arrival of the railroad. The civic and religious calendars mark the local festivities in Cd. Madera.

Cultural heritage

40 houses, a town located in cavities or rock shelters, demonstrate the degree of evolution of the Paquimé culture, in addition to the intelligence of the pre-Hispanic peoples. They understood their environment very well, planting crops near rivers and streams and then preserving their crops in the freshness and protection of a cave.