It is not only a physical challenge but also a unique spiritual and visual experience for those willing to climb its steps.
Oriental is a Puebla municipality located in the central eastern part of the state of Puebla. Its name comes from the old Eastern Railway, which connected Mexico City with the port of Veracruz.
However, very few people know that its first name was Xalaco, which means “on the sandy beach”, since Oriental was built in an arid area, which is why it received that name.
In the north of the municipality, small hills rise that are part of the Sierra Norte de Puebla. Among them are the Cerro de Cristo Rey, which has a height of 3,473 meters above sea level.
Getting to the top can be a little difficult, if you are not in good physical condition, because to reach the top you will have to climb 1,327 steps and a section of hill to achieve the objective.
At the top, there is an image of Christ the King, to whom the inhabitants dedicate their patron saint’s day on the last Sunday of November.
Furthermore, from this altitude, you will have a unique view of Citlaltépetl or Pico de Orizaba, as well as fog banks that give the perception that you are in the clouds.
But that’s not all, since the municipality of Oriental has several tourist attractions that are worth visiting, such as the railway station, where you can still find wagons and locomotives that were an important part of the Mexican railway era.
Source: El Universal
