The perfect blend of history, culture, stunning architecture and friendly local people is what you can expect in Guanajuato. Its historic monuments are very important to the country, since this city was witness to Mexico's War of Independence. The hands of its inhabitants bring to life the beauty of the city with their magnificent artwork and handmade articles.
Guanajuato features a great infrastructure to hold congresses, conventions and business activities. Its location has helped motivate its development into a large city, with excellent channels of communication, modern highways and an International Airport. It is for that reason that Guanajuato is now known as La Puerta de Mexico (The Door to Mexico).
Description
The name "Guanajuato" comes from the Purepecha dialect "Quanax-huato", which means "Place where the hills are full of frogs". Guanajuato is an ancient mining city, and thanks to its beauty and history, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as UNESCO, awarded the city the title of World Heritage Site, in 1988.
The neoclassical buildings, combine perfectly with the town squares and the baroque temples. During your stroll around the city, you will find several tunnels that were built to receive and carry the water from the forest to the outskirts of the city. These tunnels have been changed for use by vehicles and pedestrians, transforming them into one of the main tourist attractions in Guanajuato.
Another feature of this city, is the distinctly Spanish cobblestone alleys, with their fountains and irregular design that have been the inspiration for hundreds of stories and legends. Over the years, many artists and artisans have left their mark on this city and it is now the backdrop for the Cervantino International Festival, proof of the great cultural importance of this venue.
A Place Full of History
The first inhabitants of Guanajuato were the Purepechas. In the 16th century, many important minerals were discovered in Guanajuato and this native tribe suffered terrible abuse at the hands of their Spanish masters, who exploited the workers in the mines.
The indigenous people made up the majority of the population. They lived in terrible conditions, with no individual rights and were victims of constant abuse. It was in 1810 that a group of Creoles and rich Mexican merchants conspired against the tyrannical Spanish government. On September 16th at 2:00 a.m., the priest of Dolores, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, rang the bells of his church to call the people to rise up against the government. He held up a standard with a cloth that had the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe painted on it and shouted "Viva Mexico y la Virgen de Guadalupe!" (Long live Mexico and the Virgin of Guadalupe!).
This is how the War of Independence started.The legend goes that a brave miner called Jose de los Reyes Martinez, also known as El Pipila, placed a thick slab of stone over his back, crawled through the chaos as far as the door of the Alhondiga and set it on fire. The war raged until 1821, when the capital city was finally conquered by the insurgent army, declaring Mexico an independent nation.
Culture and Arts
The Spaniards constructed their civil and religious buildings in the Renaissance style. The locals learnt these new construction techniques and built their own baroque temples and buildings using these methods. Excellent examples of this type of work can be found in Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato Basilica and the Parish Church of San Miguel, as well as the Dolores Hidalgo Parish.
The Cervantino International Festival is held each year in Guanajuato and was named after the writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The event was created with the purpose of giving the city a world-class festival and to promote a cultural exchange of the arts with other countries. Dance, opera, theater, music and several art exhibitions are blended together to offer an amazing cultural experience, as you stroll around this picturesque city.
San Miguel de Allende
Founded in the 16th Century, San Miguel de Allende is located one hour away from Guanajuato and is undoubtedly a Colonial jewel and a National Monument. Nostalgia and distinction can be felt in the air. Thanks to the efforts of the inhabitants of this city, the Viceroyalty colonial architecture of its buildings has been perfectly preserved, as well as the quaint cobblestone streets. This venue is characterized by the traditions and culture that are kept alive here.
You will find in San Miguel de Allende, a good variety of beautiful hotels, excellent dining options, as well as a wide range of handicrafts and numerous art galleries, featuring pieces by nationally and internationally renowned artists. By night, entertainment is excellent and very varied. You will be able to dine by candlelight or dance from dusk till dawn. In San Miguel, you will find tranquility, art and history.
Leon
Visiting Leon is a must, during your trip to Guanajuato. The leather manufacturing industry is a clear example of the industrial development that has forged worldwide fame. The production of high-quality leather items and millions of shoes have made Mexicans very proud of this city.
Leon, is perfect for business and there has been a great many international conventions, as well as expos and seminars here. It is a city that offers a wide variety of hotels, which feature great meeting rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for all your business needs. This traditional Mexican city, is also full of restaurants, shopping malls, golf courses and a zoo, as well as other attractions that will make your visit unforgettable.