The Tourist Guide to Guanajuato Part 3

For those who enjoy seeing the sights at each destination, Guanajuato has lots to keep the average tourist busy for several days!  Not only is it steeped in rich Mexican history, revolutionary stories and several silver mines, there are also beautiful paths to hike and find fantastic views of the city and hill sides in and around Guanajuato.  Enjoy!

Colonial Center

Guanajuato doesn't have a main square like the other colonial cities; but the Jardín de la Unión (Union Garden), an intimate tree-covered urban green space, is a popular meeting place.

However, Guanajuato does have lots of small plazas, each of which is connected by an intricate and complex series of cobbled streets and narrow alleys. Guanajuato winds and bends all over the place—it's a delight to discover. Get a tourist map at the local tourism office. If you get lost, the locals are very friendly and will point you in the right direction.

Some of the more photogenic plazas are Plaza San Roque, which hosts outdoor theater productions during the Festival Cervantino. And Plaza de la Paz, adjacent to the Basilica and surrounded by mansions, owned by former silver magnates who lived here during the boom years.

Teatro Juarez is a major attraction - the architecture of this theater is part Roman, part Greek and part Moorish, making it a really beautiful building, both on the outside and the decor inside, and are both well worth a look. 

For great bird's-eye view photographs of the city get up to El Pipila; the statue at the top of the hill, commemorating Jose de los Reyes Martinez, who is said to have given his life opening the doors of the granary where Guanajuato's rich and powerful were sheltering, enabling the rag-tag independence army to take control of the town during the struggle for Independence.  The 28-meter tall statue is atop the San Miguel hill. To reach this place use the funicular (cable car) just behind Teatro Juarez. The view is beautiful, particularly at night.

Templo de Cata is a small miner's church, which you'll see up on the mountain to the north of the city. Admission is free and this is another good place from which to take photographs.

The Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato was built from 1671 to 1696. Inside this church there is a 1000 year old statue donated by Spanish King Charles I who tried to protect it from the Arab invasion in Spain.  This is the main place of worship in Guanajuato; other main churches include Iglesia de San Diego, Templo de la Compañía de Jesus and Templo de San Francisco.

Callejon del Beso - alley of the kiss - is famous for its balconies, which are so close to each other they nearly touch. Locals will recite an old tale of forbidden lovers for a small tip.

Alhondiga de Granaditas Place where the independence revolutionaries burned the Spanish troops.

Presa de la Olla (Dam of La Olla) Built in 1749 to supply fresh water to the town. In this place you can rent a little boat. There's also a park and a great statue of Miguel Hidalgo casted in Italy also inaugurated by President Porfirio Diaz in the early 1900's. This area is very tranquil and quiet to have a break.


Museums and Art in Guanajuato

Guanajuato's Museo de las Momias (Mummy Museum) is situated just outside of the town on the northwest side. The local water supply is so packed full of minerals, that people who drink it all of their lives are effectively preserved naturally when they die. Coupled with the ultra-dry climate, their bodies don't decompose, and those who cannot afford the cemetery's land rents end up cremated or on display at the mummy museum (only about 1% end up here). Glass cabinets house mummified remains of the dead, and a tour guide will happily tell you stories about the people currently on display. Rather macabre, but also a fascinating tour - certainly different.

Museum of Mineralogy  - One of the richest collection of minerals in the world, located in the Ex-hacienda de San Matias.

Those who like art won't want to miss Diego Rivera's birthplace - Casa Diego Riviera. The house has been restored recently and converted into a museum. Some of Rivera's early works are on display.

Don Quixote museum. Small, but very well done.

Take a walk through the University to see the sites and studies offered in this small city.  Also, at the University, there is a 3-4 story series of steps that lead up to an auditorium. Climb up the steps and look out over the colonial city - beautiful!

The silver mines brought much wealth and history to this area of Mexico.  Some of the mines include: Mina de Rayas The first mine of Guanajuato discovered in 1550. Mina de Cata, Mina Experimental El Nopal  and Mina de Valenciana, the richest mine in Guanajuato still in operation today. It supplied enough silver to sponsor the Spanish empire and its colonies.

Of course, to experience the local culture, make your way to the City's outdoor marketplace and shop throughout the plaza.  You will find everything here from prepared food, fruits, vegetables, linens and Mexican art.  This is a busy place as local families will shop here and eat their purchases under the trees or on park benches!

Lastly, A trolley-like bus makes sightseeing tours of the city departing from Plaza de la Paz in the Centro, next to the Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato. The rides lasts 1.5 hours and costs $50 pesos. There is a tour guide in Spanish only. Is a great way to know the city.