Historic Town of Guanajuato and its Mines 🇲🇽 Mexico

Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato became the world's leading silver extraction centre in the 18th century. Founded when the silver mines opened, Guanajuato had a symbiotic relationship with them up to the 19th century. Its growth, the layout of its streets, including the picturesque subterranean streets, its plazas and the construction of hospitals, churches, convents and palaces are all inextricably linked with the industrial history of the region, which when the decline of the Potosi mines in the 18th century, became the world's leading silver extraction centre. Guanajuato is an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble that incorporates the industrial and economic aspects of a mining operation. Just as the major 18th century hydraulic works are inextricably linked to an urban topography determined by the confines of the river path and mineral outcrops, so the baroque buildings are directly linked to the wealth of the mines. Churches and houses were financed by the most prosperous mines. From large plazas shaded by trees to small plazuelas set around old stone fountains, Guanajuato's plazas are much more than simple city squares. They're the social hubs of Guanajuato, places to meet up with friends, kick back and hang out, sip a cool drink, take a romantic stroll or just people watch. Guanajuato's main plaza, the Jardin de la Union, is the centre of the city in every sense of the word. Surrounded by restaurants, hotels, a baroque church and the stunning Juarez Theatre, it's a constant hive of activity. The triangular plaza with its shady trees, bubbling fountains and wrought iron benches and street lamps is the perfect spot to soak up Guanajuato's atmosphere. The history of Guanajuato is a story centuries and centuries in the making. Long before the ambitious Spanish conquest of the Americas commenced, the mountainous terrain of Guanajuato was home to indigenous civilisations, such as the widespread Aztec Empire, and smaller local civilisations, like the Porjapechos, who are credited with the naming of Guanajuato. Near the theatre is the San Diego Church, with its churigoresque façade. Appearing to be almost a platteresque revival, churigoresque architecture is ornamental by nature. Churigoresque architecture integrates sculpture and architecture to the extreme, perhaps even more so than platteresque. Façades and altarpieces are the most common features of the style, boasting integrated statues, floral motifs and otherwise capriciously decorative adornment in general. The interior has various paintings from the 18th century, neoclassical altarpieces and a crucifix called the Cristo de Burgos, which was donated to the church by the Count of Valenciana. The current church was built between 1780 and 1784 by the Count of Valenciano, when the original was destroyed by a flood. Hosting everything from big concerts to theatre performances, dance troupes and international film screenings, Guanajuato's theatres comprise a very important and historic part of its cultural scene. The city's most prestigious theatre is the Teatro Juarez, a lavish turn-of-the-century construction, with a jam-packed schedule of diverse performances. The theatre isn't hard to find, as the massive structure sits on the southeastern corner of the Jardin de la Union, the social hub of Guanajuato. The exterior of the Teatro Juarez is every bit as detail-oriented as its interior, boasting wrought-iron lampposts, massive columns and classic age-influenced hillsides upon a small ravine, opening onto vistas of beautiful churches and small plazas. In Plaza Allende, next to the Teatro Cervantes, one can admire two statues that were placed during the 70s, when the Cervantino Festival grew to an international scale. Another of Guanajuato's historic venues is the Teatro Cervantes, a small stone structure near the statues. It hosts a variety of performances and film screenings, and all three are venues during the annual international Cervantino Festival. One of the statues is of Don Quixote and the other of Sancho Panza, both depicted riding on their horses. Guanajuato is a historical and picturesque town of charming little plazas, streets lined with stairs and houses of pastel-coloured facades, and balconies trimmed with ironwork and flower-filled window boxes. The Teatro Principal was actually Guanajuato's only theatre for years. Due to historical circumstances, the theatre has been abandoned and subsequently restored several times over the course of its more than two centuries of history. In fact, after being converted into a movie house, the original structure actually burnt to the ground. The city of Guanajuato is a delightful maze of tiny cobbled calejones and is extremely pedestrian-friendly. The surge of wealth during the Spanish colonial epoch, after tapping one of the world's richest silver veins, not only filled silver barons' pockets, but also sparked a construction craze that provided Guanajuato with the elegant mansions, handsome fine plazas and churches that continue to beautify the cityscape today. When the Franciscans arrived in Guanajuato, they founded a hospice next to the church of San Juan Bautista, which was later converted to them in 1828. They built the convent of San Francisco there, which was concluded in 1792. The church of San Francisco is in churigoesque style. The Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato Basilica is an imposing Baroque basilica built in the 17th century, and it's one of the best examples of religious architecture in the city. Its overly elaborate façade and the rich decoration on its towers and belfries make an indisputable stamp on the beauty of this temple. During the 300 years of Spanish rule, Mexico's towns and cities were constructed from the ground up, following the trajectory of Spanish architecture, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. Each of the basilica's three impressive entrances is graced with Baroque Mannerist cantera stone façades, and a three-section bell tower, built in the same period and style, rises majestically from the main façade. The construction of the Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato Basilica began in 1671 and was completed 25 years later, sponsored by miners in the area. It was upgraded to a basilica in 1957. The cathedral also houses a virgin that's become the patron and queen of the city. The arches with rosette windows stand out in its interior, which has the shape of a Latin cross, while the atrium, elaborated between the 18th and 19th centuries, presents attractive neoclassical features. The majority of the churches which can be seen today were built during the period of Guanajuato's splendor. Almost as soon as the conquistadors set foot in America, missionaries were a powerful force among them. The first to arrive were the Franciscans, notably the friars Juan de San Miguel and Bernardo Cusan, who got representations of religious architecture in the city. Its overloaded façade and the profuse ornamentation of its belfries and church towers are excellent examples of baroque style. Guanajuato has outstanding examples of colonial architecture and illustrates a significant stage in the history of Mexico. Founded by Spaniards in the early 16th century, Guanajuato became a world leader in the extraction of silver during the 18th century. Thanks to this wealth, many imposing buildings were financed and constructed throughout the city. The predominant architectural styles in Guanajuato are baroque and neoclassical. Another feature of this city is the distinctly Spanish cobblestone alleys, with their fountains and irregular design that have been the inspiration for hundreds of stories and legends. The origin of the University of Guanajuato goes back to the arrival of the Jesuits and their founding of the College of the Holy Trinity in 1732. In 1828, it became property of the government of the state and was renamed the State College. In 1945, it gained university status. This impressive neoclassical style building, made of green stone, currently houses the rector's office and administrative and academic offices, as well as a number of the university's schools and faculties. The dawn of the neoclassical epoch brought with it another return to the simplicity, harmony and sobriety of early Greek and Roman civilizations. The university had its beginnings in the Hospice of the Holy Trinity, established in the home of its principal advocate and supporter, Dona Josefa Teresa de Busto y Moya. She, along with 14 wealthy miners, contributed financially to create the first school in Guanajuato. In 1744, the Spanish crown granted the hospice a license to operate as a college, and it became the College of the Holy Trinity, a Jesuit institution offering courses in arts and letters. The University of Guanajuato, with a tradition of more than 260 years in public education, has distinguished itself for its quality of teaching. The university's main campus is located in Guanajuato, and its satellite campuses and schools are in the cities of Leon, Irapuato, Chelaya and Salamanca. The origins of the town of Guanajuato be traced back to the 16th century. The Spanish conquistadors made their first forays into the region during the period of intense activity in the decade beginning in 1520. However, it was between 1540 and 1546 that the region today known as Guanajuato was granted to Rodrigo Vázquez by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza in reward for his service during the conquest. The territory was to be used as ranch land for major livestock. It was probably between 1548 and 1554 that the accidental discovery of abundant silver deposits was made. The Church of La Compañía, or Society of Jesus, is the best example of Golden Age architecture in Guanajuato, marking the most mature stage of churigoresque design in New Spain. Construction of this church began in 1747 and was completed in 1765. The origins of the style, however, can be traced back to the painter and sculptor Alonso Cano, who was a pioneering exponent of a highly ornamental style that began to characterize much Spanish art at the end of the 17th century. Most important in the propagation of the style were a number of sculptors, woodcarvers, cabinet makers and carpenters, who began to be highly influential in the field of architecture at this time, much to the chagrin of the more classically minded specialist architects. These sculptors and other craftsmen were chiefly responsible for the design and construction of the ephemeral structures built for coronations and other celebrations around this time. These were generally made of wood or cloth, allowing all manner of capricious and bizarre experiments with ornamentation. Some of these baroque experiments were later taken up and applied in stucco or brick to such architectural elements as facades, walls, vaults, doors and cupolas, and in sculptural ensembles such as retables. Many Christian rituals and religious practices vary between denomination, individual church and individual Christian, but some practices are common to virtually all forms of Christianity. Most Christians attend worship services at church on Sundays, which generally include singing, prayer and a sermon. Most Christian churches have a special ritual for ordination or designating a person fit for a leadership position in the church. At home, most practicing Christians pray regularly, and many read the Bible. Nearly all Christians have been baptised, either as an infant or as an adult, and regularly participate in communion, also called the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist. The Plaza de San Fernando is located in the historic centre of Guanajuato, and is adorned with a beautiful stone fountain. It's a popular square because it's surrounded with numerous restaurants, cafes and bars, with patios for enjoying the beautiful views of the Esplanade in a friendly and pleasant environment. Many of the nearby buildings have maintained their original facades, which give this area a unique feel that can't be seen in any other plaza. The plaza is also the stage for multiple cultural events. Each plaza has its own personality. The broad open square at Plaza de San Fernando is a favourite of dancers. This is a typical square in Guanajuato, which is distinguished by the architectural harmony of the colonial buildings that surround it. After 1863, the design of the stone pavement, characterised by the geometrical figures, was the masterpiece of the well-known plastic artist, José Chávez Morado. This square, named in honour of the saint of the same name and the Spanish monarch, Ferdinand VII, was expanded in the late 1930s and early 40s, after a school on the grounds was removed. San Roque Square was at the Plazuela San Roque more than 50 years ago, where the famous Entromeses Cervantinos began. In 1972, this grew into the world-renowned artistic event that became known as the International Cervantino Festival, which annually draws hundreds of international artists and thousands of visitors. The adjacent church next to the plaza is in baroque style, and is known as Iglesia de San Roque, dating from the 18th century. The plazuela was part of the Church of San Roque, and a chapel of the Brotherhood of Mercy of the Diocese of Michoacán was built here. Later, the chapel became known as the Chapel of San Roque, built in 1861. However, with the growth of the city's population, the trade is relocated to the recently opened Hidalgo Market in 1910. In 1923, the site was renovated and converted into a beautiful garden with a central fountain. The Hidalgo Market was built at the start of the 20th century and inaugurated in 1910 by President Porfirio Díaz. Its façade is of pink cantera stone. Inside, one can buy regional candies and crafts. It's the main market in the city, initially planned so it's set as a train station. Its architects were Ernesto Brunel and Antonio Rivas Mercado, and the site was the old Gavira bullfighting ring. Construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1910. The market was built as part of the Centennial Independence celebrations. The building is 70 meters long by 35 meters wide in the form of a letter T, seen from above, and it has three entrances. Most of the structure is built of iron. Mercado Hidalgo is so popular that it spawned extensions of the retail space. The left-hand door leads out to the Gavira Market, a traditional Mexican eatery, while the opposite door leads to Gavira Plaza, an open-air market. And if that's not enough shopping, the streets surrounding the market are choked with tiny retail stores. The Alley of the Kiss is a romantic alcove formed by two balconies, separated by a mere 69 centimeters. This famous landmark gets its name from a popular legend of two lovers. It's said that couples who kiss while standing on the third stair are guaranteed seven years of happiness. This ritual is now considered one of the things that every couple that visits this was an ambitious project built on the bed of the Guanajuato River. Stone walls give an old-world feel, as the roads and bridges covering the street cede at several points. Calle Miguel Hidalgo, in turn, feeds into an entire network of tunnels beneath the city. This monument was built in honor of Juan José de los Reyes Martínez, nicknamed El Papila, who heroically burnt down the door of the Spanish stronghold, Al Jondigo de Granaditas, in 1810, during the first battle in the Mexican War of Independence. The monument offers a unique panoramic vista of Guanajuato, spectacular by day or by night. The Boca Mina San Ramon is part of the famous Valenciana mining district. Guanajuato originated in the discovery of prodigious silver mines, which at the end of the 18th century converted the city into the largest silver producer ever known up to that time. The San Ramon mine entrance leads into the Valenciana mine, the most important of the Some of the mine's tunnels go as deep as 450 meters below ground. In 1548, the Spaniards, who'd settled in the region in 1529, discovered rich outcrops of silver at Guanajuato, which means frog hill in the Tarasco language. To protect prospectors, miners and the new settlers, four fortified structures were erected and formed the nuclei of the later town of Guanajuato. The mining infrastructure and the town's natural environment at an altitude of 2,084 meters, the city differs from the other colonial towns in New Spain because it wasn't laid out on the standard grid plan. Instead, the scattered area grew together through the spontaneous urbanization of suitable sites on the rough natural terrain. Known as the gateway to Mexico, Guanajuato has been the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, mainly due to the developments in architecture.