GUANAJUATO
GUANAJUATO
Guanajuato, historically and culturally, is one of the most important cities in Mexico . This heritage, together with a certain atmosphere which surrounds its venerable colonial houses, captivates the city磗 visitors. Student minstrel groups stroll through plazas and narrow streets singing merrily, and below ground, traffic flows through tunnels unlike any others in the world.
Because of its beauty, its historical importance and its monuments, Guanajuato was declared “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1988
The region was formerly inhabited by nomadic groups of Chichimeca. In 1541, the Spaniards arrived for the first time and in 1546, the viceroy granted don Rodrigo de V谩zquez permission to built a cattle ranch on the outskirts of Guanajuato. The city was founded in 1570, a title it was granted by Philip V. By the end of the 18th century, Guanajuato was the second most important and richest city in New Spain, after Mexico City.
Its history, cultural tradition, magnificent architecture and mild climate with an annual temperature of 18潞C have made it a center of attraction. Nowadays, Guanajuato is a city of unusual beauty, with a rich colonial tradition. In the midst of ravines and gullies, its streets taper off into steep, twisting alleys or underground tunnels and streets that wind their way through brightly colored houses perched in the hills.
Guanajuato, the capital of the state of the same name, has a wide range of hotels in the city and its surroundings, as well as several restaurants and nightclubs. Guanajuato鈥檚 festive spirit comes to the fore in its fiestas and popular events such as the Holy Week celebrations, the feast of our Lady of Guanajuato, the celebrations of the Presa de la Olla, the sugar figure fair, the festival of hot-air balloons and the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Christmas in Guanajuato is an unforgettable experience that is worth experiencing to the full. This is the time of the traditional callejoneadas, when the lively tunes of student music groups fill the night air. One of the most important events in Mexico is undoubtedly the International Cervantes Festival, which originated in 1952, with the presentation of the Entremeses Cervantinos in the Plaza de San Roque. If you are interested in seeing this festival or any other of the city鈥檚 events, Guanajuato one of the easiest states to reach because of its broad network of highways and international airport in the city of Le贸n.
ARCHITECTURE
Walking through its steep, narrow streets is an excellent way to explore this city that has managed to preserve its traditional flavor through its buildings and activities. Some of its main attraction include the Jard铆n Uni贸n, the Teatro Ju谩rez, the Templo de San Diego, Plaza de la Paz, Bas铆lica de Nuestra Se帽ora de Guanajuato, Palacio Legislativo, Templo de la Compa帽铆a, Mansi贸n del Conde de Rul, the University of Guanajuato, the Templo y Plazuela de San Roque, Callej贸n del Beso, Plaza de Baratillo, Plaza de San Fernando, Presa de la Olla, Monumento al P铆pila and the Jardin del Cantador.
CELEBRATIONS
Guanajuato is famous for its fiestas and celebrations celebrated in its streets and alleys and for its numerous cultural centers. The most famous is its International Cervantes Festival, held every autumn, the most important of its kind in Latin Ameica. Other major festivities include Good Friday, celebrated on the Friday before Holy Week by putting up altars to the Virgen de Dolores, the patron saint of miners, the feasts of San Juan, held from June 18 to 24, the Day of the Cave, celebrated on July 31, the Festival of Lights, held in November and the Feria del Alfe帽ique or Sugar Figure Fair, held during the last week of October.
Callejoneadas
This is a tradition started in 1962 in which young people dress up in old Spanish costumes and tour the streets and alleys (callej贸n) of Guanajuato singing songs. Since then, this activity takes place almost daily but mostly on weekends. This tradition is supported by the university, which includes and organizes callejoneadas for the International Cervantino Festival.
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