Guanajuato Capital City
Guanajuato Capital City
Guanajuato, the capital of the state with the same name, was founded in 1570 and is recognized as a World Heritage site. This mining city offers extraordinary panoramas thanks to its hilly topography, beautiful alleys full of color, tunnels, and underground streets. It is famous for its iconic mummies and colonial-style architecture, as well as being a key setting in the fight for Mexico's Independence, giving it great historical and cultural significance. Guanajuato is an ideal destination for family, couple, or friend visits. It offers top-notch experiences, including its main attractions and special events throughout the year. Its cuisine is delicious and varied, and its nightlife is vibrant, with traditional alleyway serenades and mezcal tasting.
The city is one of the most picturesque in Mexico, with labyrinthine and cobblestone alleys, plazas, colorful facades, a unique topography, and a lively atmosphere that transports visitors to another world. Founded in the 16th century after the discovery of rich veins of gold and silver, Guanajuato became the most important mining center during the Colonial era. It was the capital of the country in early 1858 during Benito Juárez's first presidential term. During Porfirio Díaz's administration, some of its most notable buildings were constructed, such as the elegant Teatro Juárez and the Legislative Palace, along with important hydraulic infrastructure and monuments.
Guanajuato's most notable celebration is the International Cervantino Festival, which attracts thousands of artists and spectators from around the world every year, solidifying its reputation as an internationally renowned cultural epicenter.
- Main Attractions
Callejón del Beso:
Legend has it that if a couple visits this place and kisses on the third step of this alley, they will have happiness for seven long years. However, those who pass through without doing so will have seven years of very bad luck.
Mummies Museum:
You must visit the famous Mummies Museum, a collection of naturally mummified bodies discovered after the exhumation of graves in the Santa Paula Cemetery in Guanajuato. The museum currently houses over a hundred mummies.
Underground Street:
The fascinating Underground Street of Guanajuato, a roadway built over the old bed of the Guanajuato River. This ingenious project, dating back to the mid-20th century, allows visitors to explore remnants of a past marked by floods and urban evolution.
Plaza de la Paz:
An iconic space in the heart of Guanajuato's Historic Center. Surrounded by colonial buildings and picturesque alleys, it features the Monument to Peace, erected to commemorate the end of the War of Independence, a work that evokes the grandeur of Mexican history.
Juárez Theater:
An architectural gem that captivates with its eclectic mix of styles. Built in the late 19th century, this theater hosts numerous cultural events, including the prestigious International Cervantino Festival. From its elegant foyer to its spectacular hall, every corner of the Juárez Theater tells a story of greatness and passion for the arts.
Pípila Lookout:
A privileged viewpoint offering impressive panoramas of the city of Guanajuato. From this emblematic monument, visitors can capture unforgettable images and enjoy delicious local food available in the surroundings.
Mercado Hidalgo:
This building, with its majestic metal vault structure and pink stone façade, delights visitors. Originally inaugurated as a railway station, it is now a bustling commercial center where you can find local products and immerse yourself in the city's daily life.
Alhóndiga de Granaditas:
A historic monument, construction of which began in 1797 and concluded in 1809. It is a neoclassical architectural work conceived during the viceroyalty as a grain storage facility. However, it served this purpose briefly as it was used as a military barracks by the Spanish Empire in 1810 during the liberation attack by insurgents. A legendary moment from this event is when El Pípila used a stone slab as a shield and a torch to set the door of the Alhóndiga on fire, enabling the insurgents to defeat the royalist troops.
Currently, the Alhóndiga houses the Regional Museum of Guanajuato since 1958. It contains a cultural collection of archaeological, historical, artistic, and ethnographic artifacts, making it one of the richest institutions of its kind in the country, with over 9,000 pieces of great historical value.
The building features three murals by artist José Chávez Morado: one depicting the abolition of slavery, another celebrating Guanajuato, and the last showcasing Guanajuato's contributions to the nation's integration.
