Guanajuato History
Guanajuato was founded as a town in 1554
and received the designation as a city in
1741. It is located in one of the richest
silver mining areas of Mexico, and is well
known for its wealth of fine colonial era
Spanish architecture. The Spanish name
"Guanajuato" comes from Quanaxhuato (or
Kuanasiutu in a different orthography),
meaning "Hill of Frogs" in the local
indigenous P'urhépecha language (a large
rock formation outside of the city of
Guanajuato looks remarkably like a frog, and
frogs are common in the region). In the
native religion of the P'urhépecha (Tarascans),
the frog represented the god of wisdom.
 The
city was originally built over the
Guanajuato River, which flowed through
tunnels underneath the city. However, after
years of raising buildings to accommodate
repeated flooding, in the mid-twentieth
century, engineers built a dam and
redirected the river into underground
caverns. The tunnels were lit and paved with
cobblestones for automobile traffic, and
this underground road network carries the
majority of cars driving through the city
today. It is one of the most notable
features of the city.
The city played a major role in the
Mexican War of Independence since it is the
capital of the state of Guanajuato in which
Miguel Hidalgo started the independence
movement. The statue of El Pípila and the
Alhóndiga de Granaditas still remind of that
time.
Architecture
 Known
as "The Gateway to Mexico", Guanajuato has
been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since
1988, mainly due to the developments in
architecture.
Guanajuato has outstanding examples of
colonial architecture, and illustrates a
significant stage in the history of Mexico.
Founded by the Spaniards in the early 16th
century, Guanajuato became a world leader in
the extraction of silver during the 18th
century. Thanks to this wealth, many
imposing buildings were financed and
constructed throughout the city. The
predominant architectural styles in
Guanajuato are Baroque and Neoclassical,
outstanding examples being the churches of
La Compania and La Valenciana, considered
among the most beautiful in Latin America.
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.
Restaurants & Dining
 If we want to find out what the origins
of Guanajuato's cuisine are, it is
absolutely necessary to take a journey into
the past. The roots, of this rich culinary
tradition, come from the different cultures
that once populated this region, mixed with
Spanish influences, transforming the
regional dishes into some of the best in
Mexico.
In
any of the restaurants, in Guanajuato, you
will find traditional dishes such as
"Guanajuato pacholas" (ground beef mixed
with fine spices), meat dumplings, "fiambres
estilo San Miguel de Allende" (a big plate
with beef, pork and chicken mixed with
vegetables and fruits), snacks such as
cucumber "chalupas" (thick tortillas with a
bean filling and topped with different
salsas, chopped cabbage and grated cheese)
and tamales (stuffed with pork or cheese).
You cannot miss the chance to try the
traditional beverages, such as beetroot
juice, strawberry liquor or the famous "cebadina"
(a carbonated beverage made of pineapple
vinegar and steamed tamarind or Jamaica
flower), also the famous Celaya milk caramel
spread desserts, the filled "charamuscas"
(caramel sweets) and the Irapuato
strawberries prepared in many different
ways. Guanajuato is without a doubt, a state
where you can enjoy a delicious gastronomic
stroll.
* Truco 7 is located near the Jardín and
features Mexican food as well as American
and at a decent price. They have tortilla
soup, enchiladas, and hamburgers. They have
excellent aguas frescas and milkshakes.
* Bar Ocho is located close to the Teatro
Juarez and serves burgers, bar food, and
Mexican food at a good price. They have
seating outside the bar in a nice courtyard.
Beer is fairly cheap.
* El Midi in Plaza San Fernando is a
fantastic Southern French lunch buffet
featuring lots of marinated and glazed
vegetables, salads and quiches. Food is sold
by weight and is extremely affordable. Don't
miss their delicious aguas frescas to
accompany your meal.
* Try the Cafe that features outdoor
seating next to Teatro Juarez. Their prices
are affordable, and they might just have the
best guacamole in town.
* If you want cheap food and free
internet access visit Cafč Santo which is a
5 minute walk from Teatro Juarez and
features a sweet little bridge upon which
you can eat.
Nightlife
After a long day visiting beautiful
monuments, museums and enjoying the
exquisite cuisine of the region, take time
to enjoy the clubs, live concerts and the
endless variety of artistic shows, such as
the beautiful ballet, theater plays, quaint
folklore presentations, opera and the
rhythmic philharmonic orchestras, as well as
boxing matches and the famous Mexican
wrestling. All these shows take place mainly
on weekends.
 Be
a part of the famous "callejoneadas" (street
parades), including music by student bands.
With the passing of time, these parades have
turned into a professional touristic event.
Stroll through the main plazas, streets and
alleys of this beautiful city. These bands
depart from the stairs of Juarez Theater,
accompanied by bottles of tequila. The
traditional mariachi groups also liven up
the streets, until the early hours of the
morning.
To start the night off, stop by one of
the little cafes in the Jardín, for dinner
and drinks and mariachi band ambience. It is
a great place to people watch.
* Capitolio is a favorite both among
tourists and local. This club has 2 levels,
with a large main room, and a smaller
"hip-hop room" in the back. The music is
well-mixed with a mixture of top 40,
reggaeton, rock and pop en espanol, salsa,
meringue, techno, and electronic.
* Guanajuato Grill is another favorite of
locals and tourists. It is even bigger than
Capitolio and boasts 2 levels. It is always
packed on weekends, with the same type of
crowd as Capitolio.
* Try Bar Fly for a younger crowd. The
staff is friendly and gets to know their
customers. There is reggae music as well as
lamp shades made out of solo cups. A
definite must-see. If the staff know
you are in Mexico to learn Spanish (whether
you tell them or your teacher does) they
won't speak English to you at all.
* Bar Ocho is located behind El Teatro
Juarez and features good music, friendly
bartenders and good drinks at night and a
great laid-back atmosphere to sip a beer
outside and plan your day in Guanajuato
during the day.
Shopping
Going shopping in Guanajuato is a
marvelous adventure. This beautiful state
features a large variety of handicrafts and
candies made in the region. You will fall in
love with these pieces and won't hesitate in
taking home a high-quality Majolica ceramic
piece or some Talavera earthenware, as well
as silverware, traditional pottery or
different kinds of stoneware.
 In
the city's downtown you will find lots of
shops with handicrafts, where you can buy
silver and gold jewelry, fine pottery
decorated using original methods that are
hundreds of years old. The pottery is
composed of mainly jars, plates, spice racks
and bowls; a perfect addition to your homes
decor.
Nina Bonita, gallery and handicrafts:
This gorgeous gallery is located in the city
of Guanajuato. It features original and
elegant decorative objects for your house,
ideal for a special gift, or simply as a
souvenir. The articles you will find here
range from cute key chains, T-shirts,
ashtrays, pottery and regional candies, to
exclusive manta clothes, jewelry,
lithography, antiques and paintings of urban
landscapes, all created by artists who are
proud of their native land.
 La
Rana (The Frog): Right in the heart of
the city and just beside the "Museo del
Pueblo de Guanajuato" (Guanajuato Town
Museum), you will find a quaint store with a
wide variety of handicrafts, including
hampers, mythical creatures made of paper
mache, traditional blown glass, beautiful
pieces of pottery, traditional toys and much
more. Also, you can find books edited by the
"Instituto Estatal de la Cultura"
(State Cultural Institute). This institution
supports the creative talent of the people
of Guanajuato.
La Casa del Minero (Miner's House):
Guanajuato offers a wide variety of
traditional candies, ranging from home-made
coconut candies, milk caramel spread and
glazed strawberries, to the very famous
peanut caramels shaped as mummies. Â Here
you will be able to buy all kinds of
delights. This store is located just steps
away from the Valenciana temple.
Guanajuato
Weather
Getting to
Guanajuato
By Plane The "Del Bajio
International Airport" (BJX) in Leon is the
closest airport serving Guanajuato. It also
serves the cities of Leon and Silao, the
industrial cities of the state.
Alternatively, you can fly through Mexico
City and take a bus or a flight from there.
The bus ride is around 5 hours. You may also
consider Queretaro International Airport (QRO)
some 3 hours from Guanajuato.
By Bus: Bus service in
Mexico is quite reliable and comfortable.
Before the recent start-up of several low
cost airlines, bus was the main mean of
transport across Mexico. Several lines serve
Guanajuato including Primera Plus, ADO and
Omnibus de Oriente. Buses are cheap,
have air conditioning (except some "economy"
ones), and often show movies and have
refreshments. You can take a taxi anywhere
in the city to the bus station (Central de
Autobuses in Spanish).
Getting
Around Guanajuato
On Foot:
Guanajuato is not very
big, and you can walk to most places, a car
is really not necessary. If you arrive to
Guanajuato driving a car, make sure to park
your car in your hotel, most offer free
shuttle to the city, otherwise, park your
car in a lot (estacionamiento). Your
car is useless if you want to know
Guanajuato.
Taxi: There are lots of
taxis and you should be able to get where
you're going for around 2 to 4 dollars.
Taxis in Guanajuato do not have meters.
Instead, before getting into the cab, ask
the driver how much it will cost to go to
your destination.
Bus: There are also
buses in the city that you can ride for very
cheap (Sistema Coordinado de Transporte de
Guanajuato)
Tourist Trolley: A trolley-like
bus makes sightseeing tours of the city
departing from Plaza de la Paz in the
Centro, next to the Basilica of our Lady of
Guanajuato. The rides lasts 1.5 hours and
costs $50 pesos. There is a tour guide in
Spanish only. Is a great way to know the
city.
Car: Remember, driving a
car is not an option to know Guanajuato,
however, if you plan to get in and out of
the city then you will need to use the
underground roads or tunnels, which are one
of the main features of the city. Walking in
the tunnels near Centro (downtown) is safe.
If you're driving, take into account that
the tunnels are one way only. |
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Guanajuato
Tours
>
City Tour in Guanajuato
>
Mount Cubilete and Cristo Rey Monument
>
Route of the Independence
>
A Walk Around Guanajuato
>
Guanajuato Nightlife and
Callejoneadas
>
Guanajuato Legends
Guanajuato
Attractions
Alhondiga de Granaditas
 The
museum is located in a beautiful building in
Guanajuato, its facade of carved stone and
rubblework dates back to the 18th Century.
The museum was witness to one of the most
important battles during the War of
Independence. It stands out for being one of
the biggest and grandest in the country and
its historic and cultural background is
incredibly vast. The exhibition halls are
full of archeological items from different
periods in time, as well as paintings,
sculptures and photographs. It features an
auditorium, a library and other special
services.
Callejón
de Beso
 The
so-called "Kiss Alley" is located near the
Plazuela de los Angeles. It is a traditional
narrow alley, which at its most famous point
has two balconies which are just 68 cm (27
inches) apart. Here is the site of a
romantic legend that tells the tragic story
of two young sweethearts.
Cervantino International
Festival
 Each
October, Guanajuato transforms into the home
of the Cervantino International Festival,
the most important cultural event in Mexico.
In addition it's one of the most prominent
in all Latin America, with cultural displays
from around the globe. The "Cervantino" not
only to pays homage to the well-known writer
Miguel de Cervantes, but is also a tribute
to the adventures of his main character "Don
Quixote".
During the festival, events are held on
many stages featuring international artists,
helping it to become a very high profile
event of great cultural significance. The
Cervantino International Festival is
definitely an important part of Mexico's
cultural heritage.
Diego Rivera House
 Guanajuato
is proud to be home to this beautiful
18th-Century house, where Diego Rivera was
born, one of the most renowned Mexican
artists in the world. The house has been
perfectly preserved as it was when the
Rivera family lived here. This museum
features more than 100 original works by the
Mexican painter, undoubtedly one of the most
important collections in the country, since
it encompasses all the different pictorial
styles he used.
Jardín
de la Union
 The
Juarez Theater, the Church of San Diego and
the Union Garden together form one of the
most appealing spots in the city. They are
the heart of the city, its most important
meeting place, beneath the carefully pruned,
picturesque Indian laurel trees of the
Jardin de la Union, the triangular garden
that was once the church's forecourt. In
1883, the iron benches were installed and
the bandstand was erected, where today
concerts are held periodically.
Jardín
Reforma
 This
garden was originally a market, the Plaza de
la Reforma, built in 1861. However, with the
growth of the city's population, the traders
relocated to the recently opened Hidalgo
Market in 1910. In 1923, the site was
renovated, being converted into a beautiful
garden with a central fountain, where one
can enjoy a few moments of peace beneath its
huge Indian laurel, eucalyptus and cypress
trees.
Mercado Hidalgo
 Nowadays, this
is the main market in the city of
Guanajuato. Here you will find, from
regional candy to the most beautiful pieces
of pottery. The building was constructed to
celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mexico's
Independence and it was inaugurated in 1910
by General Porfirio Diaz, former President
of the Republic. Many parts of the building
are made of iron and pink stone and it
features a beautiful dome that allows light
to enter through its large windows. In the
center you will find an impressive clock
with 4 faces.
Mina de Rayas
 The
Rayas mine, the oldest in Guanajuato, was
bult in 1558, folloing its discovery by Juan
Rayas in 1550. It is an imposing structure,
reminiscent of a medieval fortress, with its
thick bulwark-like walls and stone
buttresses. The current shaft is
approximately 425m (1394 feet) deep, from
which silver and gold are extracted.
Monumento a
Cristo Rey
 This
beautiful monument is a tribute to Christ
and was erected during the Christian
revolution by Catholics of the region, when
the government of the time attempted to
change the Catholic and nationalist ideology
of the Mexican people. It is located on
Cubilete Hill in the Silao district, just 15
minutes away from Guanajuato. This beautiful
sanctuary, is located on a mountain of close
to 3000 feet from the base to the peak. On
the top, you will find a modern basilica
with a majestic 66-feet statue of Christ.
Museo de
las Leyendas
 One
of the main attractions in Guanajuato is the
Museum of Legends. In Guanajuato, it's a
real tradition to pass stories on from
generation to generation, transforming these
stories into elaborate myths. They are
displayed in the museum accompanied by
electronic animation, which helps enhance
each legend.
Museo de
las Momias
 Guanajuato's
mummies can be found in the city's Mummy
Museum. Here, the mummified bodies of local
people, a consequence of the peculiar
mineral composition of the region's soil,
have been on display since 1870.
Nuestra Senora de
Guanajuato Basilica
 This
imposing baroque basilica was built in the
17th Century and it is one of the best
examples of religious architecture in the
city. Its overly-elaborate facade and the
rich decoration on its towers and belfries
make an indisputable stamp on the beauty of
this temple. Standing out in the interior
are the arches and beautiful crown molding,
along with the main shrine which is designed
in a neoclassical style and devoted to Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato (Our Lady of
Guanajuato).
Plaza de
la Paz
 One
of the main squares in Guanajuato is the
Plaza de la Paz (Peace Plaza). Located in its center is a
beautiful sculpture called Monumento a la
Paz (Monument to Peace). It was inaugurated
by President Porfirio Diaz in 1903. This
gorgeous plaza has been witness to many
important events in history, such as the
proclamation of Guanajuato as the capital
city of Mexico by Benito Juarez and the
insurrection of the mining towns against the
injustice of the colonial government.
Plazuela
del Baratillo
 This
little downtown plaza is lined with large
old houses. It owes its name to the Sunday
market that used to take place here, where
the traders used to proclaim the cheapness,
"lo barato", of their wares. At the center
of the plaza is a beautiful Florentine style
iron fountain.
Presa de la
Olla
 Opened
in 1749, the Presa de la Olla, or "Pot Dam",
was built to supply the city with water.
Today, it is the site of the Festivals of
San Juan and the Presa de la Olla in June.
Here you can spend a pleasant afternoon
rowing a boat or wandering through the
quaint Florencio Antillón garden and Acacias
Park.
Teatro Juarez
 Teatro
Juarez (Juarez Theater) is an
unmistakable landmark in Guanajuato. The
access to the theater is guarded by two
statues of lions. Its stone facade is
composed of 12 columns, on top of which are
8 of the 9 Greek muses, symbolizing the Fine
Arts. The inside is decorated with an
amazing fresco, representing the ancient
city of Constantinople. Thanks to its
diverse architectural style, it is
considered one of the most beautiful
buildings in the country. The traditional
student music bands depart from here to
begin the classic "Callejoneadas" (street
parades) and it is also the main backdrop
for the Cervantino International Festival.
Templo de San
Roque
 The
sober, baroque style Temple of San Roque
(1726)
houses an important collection of colonial
paintings. In the plaza that forms the
church's forecourt, you can see the
Ëntremeses Cervantinos", the one act farces
that were first performed here in 1953 and
which later developed in the International
Cervantes Festival.
Templo de Valenciana
 Found
on a high mountain road, this church sits
nestled in the hillside, overlooking the
valley of Guanajuato. Built by Don Antonio
de Obregon y Alcocer, construction started
in 1775, was completed in 1788 and shows
fundamental examples of the Churrigueresque
style (Spanish Baroque). The edifice itself
is built with pink quarry rock and also
features an altar piece covered in gold
leaf.
Templo
San Diego de Alcantara
 This
majestic temple was constructed during the
17th Century. Its pink-quarry facade is a
classic example of Mexican Chirrugueresque
(baroque style). On the inside are images of
Christ and it also features an impressive
collection of 18th-Century Mexican
paintings, worthy of display in any museum.
Universidad
de Guanajuato
 The
origin of the University of Guanajuato goes
back to the arrival of the Jesuits and their
founding of the College of the Holy Trinity
in 1732. In 1828, it became property of the
Government of the State and was renamed the
State College. In 1945, it gained university
status. This impressive neoclassical style
building, made of green stone, currently
houses the Rectors Office and administrative
and academic offices, as well as a number of
the University's Schools and Faculties. |
