Travel the Independence Route on this interesting tour of the towns that changed the history of Mexico: Dolores Hidalgo, Atotonilco and San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato. Visit the picturesque town of Dolores Hidalgo, the hub of Mexican Independence and see the historic home of Friar Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the nation’s forefather, as well as the parish church where he declared the independence on September 16th, 1810. You will also see the old jailhouse and the mausoleum of the late composer Jose Alfredo Jimenez who was originally from this town. The tour also includes a visit to the town’s center to see the famous ceramics and to taste the delicious sherbets made there.
Santuario de Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco is a 17th century baroque style church located just under 10 miles from San Miguel de Allende. You can see excellent murals painted by a local artist, called Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre, as well as a fine collection of religious sculptures. This shrine is also a historic landmark because it is the site where Hidalgo decided that the flag of the Virgin of Guadalupe would become the standard for the insurgent army.
San Miguel de Allende was founded, in 1542, by a Franciscan monk called Juan de San Miguel, who called the settlement San Miguel el Grande. The town gained its importance during the War of Independence because it was the birthplace of one of the leaders of the war against Spain, General Ignacio Allende. On this tour, you will stop at the lookout point for a splendid panoramic view of the town and visit Ignacio Allende’s historic home and the old headquarters of the Queen’s Army, where Allende was appointed captain of the cavalry. Finally, you will tour the main square and visit one of the most photographed churches in all of Mexico, the Parish of San Miguel Archangel, an icon of Gothic Revival architecture.
