Guanajuato Mexico
Guanajuato (pop 90,501; alt 6,724 ft.)
is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Mexico
and owes its fame and fortune to the rich veins of silver and gold
discovered by the Spanish many centuries ago.
Like other silver cities of Mexico, Guanajuato has
beautiful cityscapes and architectural treasures. The
16th-century mining boom led to the construction of fine
townhouses, beautiful haciendas, and romantic plazas--for which
the city is famous. In fact, UNESCO declared the city and
surrounding mines a “World Heritage Site" in 1988. Clean and
beautifully preserved, Guanajuato should be high on anyone's
list of places to visit in Mexico.
Guanajuato is located in a valley and surrounded by
stunning mountains. Its streets and many colorful alleyways
spread out in every direction--winding, rising, and
descending with the contours of the land. Some streets are no
more than narrow stone paths, lined with flowering
balconies that explode with color.
Guanajuato's underground tunnel system is
one of the most charming and unique in Latin America. Cars and buses emerge
from these tunnels at principal points
throughout the city or continue on to “el centro”
(downtown). This makes Guanajuato an excellent city for
pedestrians.
With a springlike climate throughout the year, during the day short
sleeves and light clothing are adequate; but you will need a
jacket or sweater at night.
There is always something going on here: street parades,
music in the plazas, church celebrations with fireworks, and
cultural events. We have 14
different museums, several performance halls, and beautiful
weather that makes the surrounding
mountains always accessible. These are just some of
the reasons why Guanajuato is widely thought to be the jewel
in Mexico's crown. |
