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Mexico’s most important colonial tourist destination
Guanajuato, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates at first sight with its architectural beauty and culture.
Also, the colourfulness of the city was a factor for the PIXAR producers to choose it as a model for the film “COCO“. In other words, we invite you to read some of the places you should visit when you go to this city:
Teatro Juárez
This building was formerly the first convent of the Discalced Franciscans in Guanajuato. It was built between 1873 and 1903 during the mandate of José Noriega, and after several years of interrupted works, it was inaugurated on October 27th 1903 by President Porfirio Díaz.
It is also the second most important theatre in Mexico, after the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Its decoration is of foreign influence, and it is an example of the eclecticism that was common at the time.
The auditorium is horseshoe-shaped, with four types of boxes. In addition, at the top of the theatre there are eight bronze sculptures representing eight of the nine muses of the Greek inspiration of the arts and sciences.
Guanajuato Bicentenario Park
Its predecessor is the 2010 Expo Guanajuato Bicentenario, where the 200th anniversary of the Independence and 100th anniversary of the Revolution were celebrated. It is a space that had thematic pavilions, exhibition halls, playgrounds, concert areas and an ecological park.
Also, 1.1 billion pesos were invested in the Expo; it was open from 17 July to 20 November 2010.
The park is located between the cities of Guanajuato, Silao and León, and there are four permanent exhibition areas; The Pavilion of Tomorrow, Altered Planet, Climate Change and Mexico.
Today, it is a park with an extension of 14.5 hectares; where the function is to promote culture, education and entertainment.
Cuesta del Tecolote and Puente del Campanero
On two dates the slope of the Campanero was lowered; in 1844 and 1878, due to this, the doors of the houses were very high and the only way to access them was with the construction of this bridge.
Besides, its fame is due to the fact that in 1810, the Father of the Nation Don Miguel Hidalgo and his army passed through here to take the city.
You can also have a cup of coffee or a meal in the local restaurant.
Miguel Hidalgo Street
Construction began in 1963, and it was inaugurated in 1964 as a solution to vehicle traffic and also to the health problem that the Guanajuato River represented because it had become a large sewer.
It also has an extension of 3 kilometres and follows the course of the Guanajuato River. A great part of the walls and vaults of the street are from the colonial period in the XVIII century, when constructions had to be made to prevent the city from continuing to suffer from floods.
There are also parts of the river that are 264 years old, such as the Nava, San Diego, San Antonio, San Ignacio and Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato bridges.
The street runs through the historic centre of the city, and, in conclusion, is a representation of the levels at which Guanajuato was built over a period of four centuries.
Guanajuato Funicular
First, its raison d’être is to serve as a means of transport on sloping terrain, and this is no exception. First, it was inaugurated in 2001 and it is a very good way to get to know part of the city of Guanajuato.
Second, you can get to a monument like “El Pípila”, this monument is located at the top of a hill and it is also a tribute to Juan José Martínez, but better known as “El Pípila”, a key person in the independence of Mexico. a key person in the Mexican Independence and who participated in the capture of Alhóndiga de Granaditas.
Due to its height, it is an ideal viewpoint to see Guanajuato, and also, the funicular is the best way to see the city both on its 102-metre route and when you arrive at the monument.
The funicular is taken at the back of the Juarez Theatre; however, many recommend taking the funicular up and walking down to see the staircases and also to walk through the houses.
It is worth noting that the funicular costs 36 Mexican pesos (about two US dollars) round trip and the schedule is from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 9:45 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 8:45 pm.
Without a doubt, Guanajuato has a lot to offer, and we hope to continue writing about this city in future articles.
