Celaya, Mexico: Vacations and travel info

General Information

The Bajio International Airport can be found a couple of minutes from this cajeta (which is a milk-based caramel sauce)-producing city. It is a city that has grown surprisingly during the last few years and there are a great number of highways and railways criss-crossing Celaya, going to the center of the country, turning it into an important logistic and business center.

This city is a center of commerce and a great tourist site. There is a diversity in attractions, thanks to its proximity to many of the most beautiful colonial cities in the country, such as Guanajuato, Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende.

Although it was originally known for its agriculture and livestock, the city has undertaken an accelerated stride in industrialization and commerce. It is located where many of the major industries are located in the Bajio region but still maintains its post as a major agricultural and livestock center.

Important Historical Events

Celaya has witnessed a series of important events that have marked the course of history of the country. In 1810, in this very city, Priest Hidalgo was named Captain of the Insurgent Army and Ignacio Allende was named Lieutenant General, a little after the Grito de Independencia (the call to independence). There were many from the city that joined the army, adding a considerable number of troops to this independence movement.

During the times of Porfirio Diaz, there was a rapid growth due to the introduction of the railway, electric energy and the telegraph, provoking rapid industrialization.

In 1915, this city was also witness to one of the most important battles of the Mexican Revolution, between General Alvaro Obregon and the revolutionary forces of General Pancho Villa. The winner of this battle was General Obregon, who had lost his arm, though it is unclear if it happened in battle or days later in the city of Leon.

Handicrafts

Celaya has always been known for its handicrafts. The most common materials used in these products are cardboard, paper and metal. Toys, accessories, ornaments, utensils and a large variety of objects made of the previously mentioned materials are items that are sold in the street markets and booths. The most popular items are made out of high quality papel mache.

Cajeta

"Cajeta" is a thick, carmelized milk sauce and Celaya is nationally famous for having the most tradition in the production of this typically Mexican dessert. It is normally made of goat's milk, brown sugar and cinnamon and has become a favorite among many, both locals and visitors, putting the city on the map. There are many places that make this sweet, using traditional methods, packaging them in wooden boxes called "cajetes."