GUANAJUATO
The International Cervantino Festival
Guanajuato is host each year to the International Cervantino Festival, named in honor of Miguel de Cervantes, author of “Don Quixote.” Artists from around the world perform in recitals, concerts, plays, ballet, modern dance, opera and art exhibits. Events are held throughout the city and, indeed, throughout Mexico in other cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende. But the real focus of activity for the festival is the Teatro Juárez (1903, above) which faces the main plaza of downtown Guanajuato, el Jardín de la Unión. Every inch of the interior of the theater is carved, painted, sculpted or embossed in a beautiful, truly awe-inspiring display of art of the period.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Guanajuato is renowned for its pottery and ceramics, as well as its stonework. Its traditional handicrafts markets contain the work of Guanajuato’s traditional artisans who produce pottery, ceramics, silverware, sculptures and candy figures as well as many other unusual forms of craftwork. One of the most interesting is the Mercado Hidalgo, which carries an astonishing range of handicrafts.
León
Thriving industrial city famous for its shoes and leatherwear. Outstanding features include the 18th century Cathedral on the corner of Álvaro Obregón and Hidalgo. 56 km outside the capital of the state.
The Hidalgo Market
This building was inaugurated by President Porfirio Díaz in 1910, and here, you can buy handicrafts such as multicolored kitchen utensils made of glazed clay, all of which come from the state of Guanajuato. You can also buy other little works of art that are delicious to eat: candy in the form of figures of charros (cowboys) and mummies, whose eyes are made with small raisins.
MUSEUMS
Guanajuato’s cultural activity is reflected in its wealth of museums that preserve the history, traditions and culture of the state, such as the Museo Iconográfico del Quijote, the Museo Alfredo Duges, the Museo del Pueblo, the Museo Diego River, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, the Museo de las Momias and the Museo de Arte Olga Costa-José Chávez Morado.
Museum del Pueblo
This 17th century mansion contains work by the Mexican muralist José Chávez Morado, as well as 17th and 19th century religious and civil works of art.
Museum Alfredo Duges
Natural history museum set in the main building of the University of Guanajuato. It contains a collection of desiccated animals that lived twelve thousand years ago.
Museum Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Building where El Pípila performed his heroic feat, containing various documents, paintings and historical objects.
Museum Arte Olga Costa - José Chávez Morado
Collection of works by both artists donated by the state of Guanajuato.
Museum Diego Rivera
Set in the house where the famous Mexican painter was born, this museum displays part of his work.
Museum de Momias (Mummies)
Somewhat ghoulish museum with over a hundred mummified bodies that have been perfectly preserved due to the minerals in the soil.
Iconographic Museum del Quijote
Inaugurated in 1987, this museum displays paintings of Don Quijote. It was donated by the famous advertiser Eulalio Ferrer and contains work by Dalí and Rafael and Pedro Coronel.
Popularity: 52% [?]