Leon, Mexico: Vacations and travel info

Description

The city was named Leon in the colonial period after being the Village of our Lady until 1579 when the Viceroy Martin Enriquez de Almanza gave it the title of Village of Leon, in honor of the Spanish city where he was born. In 1830, the Guanajuato State Congress named it the City of Leon, with which its industry and culture began to develop.Since then, Leon has undergone great commercial expansion, driven principally by the textile, saddler, footwear, and tannery industries. Leon's leather production is enormous because of its vertical integration: manufacture, commerce, and exportation all take place in this city.

Barrio Arriba deserves a special chapter; it is a place known since the late 19th century as the stock of tanneries, where leather of calf, bovine, and pork were processed.The residents of the Village of Leon bought the products that the humble inhabitants of this place made. Nowadays, the industries that design and manufacture footwear and leather clothes in Leon still acquire their raw material at Barrio Arriba, but it is not a poor neighborhood anymore; it is prosperous now.

Leon is a perfect example of a well-balanced climate, without extreme seasons.Winters are cool, and springs are cozy and warm while occasional summer rains give the hills around Leon a lush green color.

There is nothing like visiting Leon. It is difficult not to be part of the January party nights, when people celebrate the city's founding. Visit precincts full of history such as the Sacred Art Museum, which used to be the sacristy of the Cathedral, as well as many other old buildings. Get in touch with a city full of the history, beauty, culture, and tradition that it shares with neighboring cities, such as Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, or San Miguel de Allende.

A great industry

While in Leon, as in many other cities, there is a wide diversity of commercial activities, it would be impossible to glance at this beautiful destination and not remark on the important footwear and leather industries.

This has given Leon fame as the "World's Footwear Capital" because of the extensive assortment of shoes made of high-quality raw materials offered in countless styles, colors, and prices. These products are comparable even with those found in boutiques of the most renowned brands and designers.

A high percentage of the population in Leon makes a living from tanneries and leather processing, from the production of different items and clothing to their confection and commercialization. Thus, walking along Leon's streets and neighborhoods it is easy to find huge factories, tanneries, and an endless array of stores, markets, and malls specializing in these products.

Worldwide, Mexico ranks 10th in footwear manufacture, Leon being the leading producer in the country, with almost two-thirds of the total production.

A lot of tradition

In late January and early February, Leon proudly commemorates the anniversary of its founding. Inhabitants join with local and state authorities to hold a great fair where participants organize a whole host of sports and cultural activities. Important among them are the majestic parade along the city streets, the Gold Harlequin Award Ceremony (a prize given to outstanding people of Guanajuato), and the half-marathon called "Race of the Neighborhoods."

In addition, folklore and music are also part of this celebration, with the famous "palenques" (concerts carried out in a cockfight ring) where citizens and visitors can delight in concerts offered by world-famous singers and bands.

Another interesting festivity that is a tradition in Leon is the Combat of Flowers, celebrated on September 16. People of all ages come out to the Main Plaza and the Founder's Garden, though this is mostly practiced by teens and twenty-somethings, to exchange roses with someone you like. You can only exchange flowers with someone who has a flower and if you accept one, tradition calls for a kiss.