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GUANAJUATO
Located 6,700 ft in the mountains, Guanajuato used to be Mexicos most notable silver mining city. Guanajuato is the capital of Guanajuato state.
LOCATION:
Guanajuato is located 356 km (226 MI) northwest of Mexico City and 100 km (62 MI) west of San Miguel de Allende.
HISTORY:
Founded in 1559, the city was prone to floods of the Rio Guanajuato until the citizens averted the river. In its place is now an underground highway. Established as a heritage site in 1988, Guanajuato flourishes as a center for musicians, dancers, artists, and university students. Throughout the city, you will find monuments to local revolutionary heroes, due to a major military confrontation between the rebel forces and royalist troops in September of 1810. Guanajuato is the birthplace of famed artist Diego Rivers. His house is now a museum. The mines in Guanajuato produced a third of the worlds silver.
WEATHER:
Temperatures in the winter can drop to freezing levels, with mild temperatures in the summer.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you plan to attend the Cervantes Festival in October, its recommended that you secure reservations six months in advance. Rates for hotels range from US$30 to US$300, for a suite. Hotels may include pools, game rooms, whirlpools, and free parking.
RESTAURANTS:
Most of the better eating establishments are located in hotels and along the highway. You cant walk more than a few steps without passing some kind of restaurant, cafe or bistro.
NIGHTLIFE:
For two to three weeks in October, during the International Cervantes Festival, Guanajuato is alive with musicians, dancers, ballets, and plays. There is a wealth of popular bars and a few clubs. Guanajuato has three cinemas for evening entertainment, as well as plays, concerts, and ballets. Something is going on almost every night, especially during the high season.
SHOPPING:
Ceramics, jewelery, knickknack, shawls, silver and sweaters are the main items in stores. Most stores are open until from 10 am to 8 pm, but closed during the siesta hours, 2 - 4 pm.
CUISINE:
Most of the small eateries serve only Mexican dishes. Hotel restaurants have a little bit more of a variety of cuisine that includes Italian, international and seafood
SERVICES:
Banks: Banks are open from 9 am to 11 am.
Internet: Redes Internet offers access Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Transportation: Most places of interest to tourists are all within walking distance of each other so a car is not required. Streets and alleys make driving confusing so its best to walk in the historical area, and use a rental car if youre traveling outside the city. Taxis are cheap and plentiful, but be sure to agree on a price first.
SURROUNDING AREA:
Leon: Known as the shoemaking capital of Mexico, Leon is located 56 km (35 MI) from Guanajuato. Leather goods such as purses, belts, jackets, and cowboy boots are extremely popular. |
| WHERE TO GO: |
Alhondiga de Granaditas: This 18th century grain-storage served
as a jail during the War of Independence. Hooks, on which Father Miguel
Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende severed heads were hung, still hang on the
outside wall. Now a museum, exhibits of local history, archaeology and
crafts are on display.
Jardin Union: Guanajuatos central square. Tuesday, Thursday,
and Sunday evenings musical performances take place here.
Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato: Inside this
17th century Baroque church is the oldest Christian statue in Mexico.
The 8th century statue of the Virgin was a gift from King Philip II in
1557.
Mercado Hidalgo: This glass and iron building, constructed in
1910, was designed by Gustave Eiffel. T-shirts, cheap plastic toys, as
well as authentic local wares, baskets, fresh produce, and peanuts are
sold here.
El Museo Casa Diego Rivera: Birthplace of artist Diego Rivers,
this building is now a museum housing furniture, family portraits as
well as paintings and murals done by the famous artist.
Museo de las Momias: Mummified human corpses, even one as old as
130 years, are on display in this gruesome museum. Until the law was
changed in 1858, if a grave hadnt been paid for after five years,
bodies were removed to make room for new arrivals. Guides will give
tours in Spanish only.
La Valenciana: One of the best known colonial churches in Mexico.
Inside are three altars and religious paintings.
Universidad De Guanajuato: Originally a Jesuit seminary in 1732,
this state university welcomes visitors as well as students. On a notice
board you can find information on lectures, films, art exhibits, and concerts.
Teatro Juarez: The principle location of the Cervantes Festival,
this theater with its bronze lions, Doric columns, and statues of the nine
muses has year-round classical music concerts.
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WHERE TO EAT: |
Around town you can find inexpensive restaurants and bistros that
serve international and Mexican fare. For better quality restaurants,
head to one of the hotel dining rooms. In a refurbished 18th century
mansion, the Casa del Conde de la Valenciana has made its home.
Traditional Mexican fare, such as gazpacho, pollo a la flor de calabaza
(chicken in squash blossom sauce), enchiladas, chile relleno, and lomo
en salsa de ciruela pasa (pork in a prune sauce) and several
international dishes are served. At La Hacienda De Marfil, where the
menu changes every three months, people visit this restaurant to
partake in leisure meals. Fillet Roquefort, steaks, salads, trout in
almond sauce, and squash blossom crepes are typical menu items.
Inexpensive meals, a lively atmosphere and artwork by local artists
has made the Truco 7 popular with locals and tourists. Fish soup and
vegetables, steak with peppercorn, continental cuisine as well as
performances by poets at the bar next door keep the El Comedor Real
busy. This restaurant is located in the Hotel Castillo Santa Cecilia.
The university students flock to El Pinguis Cafeteria, with its
inexpensive but plentiful meals. Art posters, loud music, and the
rambunctious crowd keep you entertained while waiting for your meal.
For a light or vegetarian meal head to El Unicorno Azul. Yogurt, fruit,
vegetarian burgers as well as sandwiches are served at this food
counter. At the Mercado Hidalgo there are many food stands and stalls
that sell cheap but filling Mexican fare.
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| WHAT TO DO: |
Tours: Tour operators offer day and night tours, with English
speaking guides. Attractions include the churches, museums, and some
residential neighborhoods.
Studying Spanish: The University of Guanajuato and the
Instituto Falcon offer Spanish lessons.
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| WHERE TO SHOP: |
Shops and stores in Guanajuato are generally open from 10am to 2pm
and 4pm to 8pm. At the Mercado Hidalgo, which occupies a 1910
glass and cast iron building, sells such items as plastic toys,
T-shirts, jewelry, knickknacks, local crafts, baskets as well as
produce, candies and nuts. At both the Capelo and Gorky Gonzalez
Workshop you can find colorful and exquisite pottery, which is now
made with lead free glaze. The Casa del Conde de la Valenciana
sells wrought iron decorations from Africa and Mexico, ceramics,
tin and brass ware. Talavera ceramics such as jars, frames, bowls,
cups and plates, from Dolores Hidalgo, are sold at the Artesanias
Vazques. Several shops and stores located around the plaza and
Jardin Union sell ceramics, shawls, sweaters, and crafts. It is
said that the best crafts available in Mexico are sold at the
FONART store. Items carved from substances such as pewter, wax,
ceramic, papier-mache and wood, created at several workshops
around Guanajuato State, are sold at the Rincon Artesanal. |
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Costa De Oro
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