Guanajuato City October Festivities

The city of Guanajuato is getting ready to receive thousands of visitors that will be arriving in the coming days to enjoy and participate in the 2016 edition of the "Festival Internacional Cervantino". This is a cultural festival that was initiated in the early 1970's thanks to the initiative of a group of people from Guanajuato that had the idea of representing the theatre plays by Cervantes known as "Entremeses Cervantinos" in one of the charming squares of the city.

For a number of years these plays were only known by the people living in Guanajuato, but considering the ancient history of the city and its touristic and cultural potential the government decided to implement a big festival where many countries would be invited to send delegations that would present an artistic expression of their own cultures, besides the main local motive of honouring Cervantes heritage.

This year among the many countries assisting to the Festival, Spain will be the protagonist, considering the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes 400 years ago. From Mexico, the main delegation will be from Jalisco, that will be considered the invited state.

  

Festival Internacional Cervantino

The October festivities in Guanajuato are about to begin, with a new Cervantino 2016 just at the door. Next sunday, October 2, we'll be opening a new Festival Cervantino in the city. This time the invited country will be Spain and the Mexican State invited will be Jalisco.

Guanajuato Underground Street

For many years the city of Guanajuato had only one main street that crossed the city from East to West. Below the city there was the "Guanajuato River" that also crosses the city in the same direction. 

After the Mexican Revolution the city entered an economic decline that lasted until the early 1960's. As the city began to grow and regain some of its preponderance as the capital of the state, new infraestructure was needed.

The only option to have a new, usable, street in the city was to use the river path as the base for the new road. So the river was funneled below a concrete base that now became an underground street with such a beauty that is one of the main  touristic attractions of Guanajuato. This street is also called "La Subterranea".

Guanajuato City 100 Pictures Tour

5 Things To Do In Guanajuato City

1.- Visit the monument called "#El Pípila"

This is a stone monument that you will find on top of a hill that dominates the “heart” of the city. It has a pinkish color and you will see a man with a rising arm, holding a flame and with a strong figure. Some people like it some others really dislike the statue, but the view from the city you can get from there is of one the best. Who was “El Pipila”?, why does he have a statue in his honor? He was a man named Juan José de los Reyes, and he fought during the Mexican War against the Spaniards for the Independence of the country in 1810. Thanks to him (he burned the door with a torch) the Insurgents conquered the “#Alhondiga de Granaditas” where the Spanish people were hiding. The Insurgent Army killed everybody inside, this is considered the first great battle of the war for the #independence of #Mexico.

2.- Visit the "Museo del Pueblo" ("People's Museum")

This is a museum located very close to "La #Plaza de la Paz". It continuously has exhibitions from local artist and showrooms with folk art. There are colonial paintings, prints, collection of miniatures and a few other interesting objects from the region. It is especially interesting during festivities like “Día de Muertos” (Deads’ Day) in October and “Flowers Friday” (Día de las Flores”) in March or April just before “Semana Santa”.  

Website: http://cultura.guanajuato.gob.mx/museos/pueblo.php

3.- Driving through #Guanajuato city tunnels.

There is one distinguishing feature of Guanajuato’s streets. This is that many of them run below the city. Making a tribute to its miner town past. The city is connected by a collection of tunnels that run from north to south east to west, forming some kind of a labyrinth that may get you lost if you are new to the city. It is recommended that you pass through this tunnels by car. Of course, if you are adventurous enough, you are welcome to walk, it can be some dangerous due to the high traffic and the lack of light of some sections of the tunnels. But with proper care it is totally doable. Some local people even dare to go jogging through the tunnels.

4.- Kissing someone in the "#Callejón del Beso" ("#Kiss Alley")

This is for the romantic people. Those in a “honey moon” will find this alley made just for them. This is the scenery of an ancient legend, very similar to “Romeo and Juliet” from Shakespeare. In this case the rich father kills her daughter in the precise moment she was kissing her poor miner boyfriend, who was on the balcony just across from hers, on the sides of the narrow alley. So, after this tragedy, the legend says that you must kiss your special one once you put your feet on the third step of the narrow stairs. A good reason for an extra kiss.

5.- Seat and enjoy the "#San Roque Plaza".

This is the place where the worldwide known celebration in honor of the Spanish author Cervantes, with the official name "#Festival Internacional Cervantino", was born and the famous "#Entremeces Cervantinos" are held here once every year. It pulls in numerous craftsman and a large number of guests from all over Mexico and abroad. Very close-by there are numerous eateries for you to enjoy. For some pesos you can even be entertained by nearby artists. An extraordinary Plaza, with its characteristic cross in the middle, to relax and slow down in your walks through the city.

A Short Guanajuato City Tour

Guanajuato City Hotels

In #Guanajuato these days you will find a great number of #hotels, considering its touristic vocation it's not strange that the most natural finding of provided services in the city would be hotels. There are places of many sizes and tastes. Many of them are very good, though there are some where you may think twice before you decide if you want to stay or not,  often  depending on your budget.

Here I present you just an initial list of just 6 hotels in the #city of Guanajuato. The first two are located in the main entrance to the city, this is if you arrive from the International Airport. The third one is already inside the historical zone of the city, near "Tepetapa" suburbs. The other two are in the opposite side of the city, close to the street that will take you to La Valenciana and Dolores Hidalgo. The last two hotels are right inside the historical suburbs of the city close to touristic attractions as "Teatro Juarez" and "Plaza de la Paz". 

Hotel Gran Plaza;  Road to  Juventino Rosas Km  6,  Tel  473-733-1714

Hotel Holiday Inn;  Euquerio Guerrero #120 , 473-735-2000

Hotel Hacienda de Cobos; Padre Hidalgo #3, Tel  473-732-0143

Hotel La  Abadia; San Matias s/n, Tel  473-732-2464

Hotel Guanajuato; Road to  Dolores Hidalgo Km  2.5, Tel  473-732-0689

Hotel Las Embajadoras; Parque las  Embajadoras, Tel  473-732-0105

Hotel Luna; Jardin de la Union #6, Tel  473-732-9720

Guanajuato City Amazing Night View

Guanajuato Twilight View

The hills and mountains surrounding the city of Guanajuato can give you this kind of views in the evenings or at dawn. Often there will be a mix of  clouds and the dark edges of the hills with some lights announcing that people is still around.

Top 10 Places To Visit In A Guanajuato City Tour - Video

A video review of what I consider the top 10 places to visit in Guanajuato city. Take the tour!

3 Thigs To Know About "La Valenciana" Temple - Church In Guanajuato

 1.-This is one of the most representative construction in Guanajuato. Also known as San Cayetano Church.

2.- Its construction dates back to the XVIII century and is witness of one of the periods of economic affluence for the city, thanks to the great gold production of the mine "La Valenciana".

3.- If you wan to see an impressive show of the grandeur richness of those years, you want to enter the temple and contemplate the golden main altar.  This is made of pure, solid gold. That´s why the temple is usually closed, you must enter following the guided tours that are offered by the administrators  and you can´t take pictures without permit. 

Walking On Guanajuato City... "El Campanero" and "Positos"

Top 10 Places to Visit in Guanajuato

1.- Teatro Juárez: It is  considered one of  the most  beautiful Mexican theaters, built  between 1872 and 1903, with many interruption periods in   the  construction  in   between  this   period.  It  was  inaugurated on October 27th 1903 by  the General Porfirio Diaz. Its  portic is  of  roman Doric style, where  eight columns  sustain  the Eight Muses. Among its attractions it counts  with a smoking room (foyer) of art  nouveau style.

2.-Alhondiga de Granaditas: Historic   building that was the scene of the first, and one of the most bloody,  battles during the independence  war. It was witness  of  the heroic act   of  “El  Pipila”, who burned the door so the people's army could enter the place where the spaniards where hidding.  In  this museum  there can be seen  many historic documents, paintings and many other historic objects. It is open, Tuesday to  Saturday 10:00-13:30 and 16:00-17:30. Sunday 10:00-14:30.

3.- El Pípila: This is a big monument in form of a statue that was built at the top of one of the cerros that surrounds the cañada. You can enter the monument and once inside climb the narrow stairs to the top and have a wonderful view of the city from the observing cabin. You can arrive by car driving on the panoramic street or by foot if you dare to climb one of the narrow alleys that reach there from the bottom of the cañada.

4.- Museo de la Momias: This is  maybe the most original and scary museum in  Guanajuato. The exhibition consists  of  119 mummified bodies in  prefect conditions due to  the minerals in  the soil of the cemetery. The first mummy was exhumed in 1885. It is open, Monday to  Sunday 9:00-18:00

5.- La Presa de la Olla: This is a charming dam situated in the western tip of the city, just where the road to the mining zone begins. It used to be the place where rich people had their houses, so you will see many french-style constructions dating from the end of the XIX century. 

6.- Mercado Hidalgo: The main market of the city. Dating from the early years of the XX century. This magnificent building was initially intended to be a railroad station. Constructed mainly with with steel and cantera rock, it has a clear european style that makes it a unique building in México.  

7.- Museo Iconográfico del Quijote:  It  was  inaugurated in 1987,  the exhibition consists  of  art  works dedicated to  Don Quijote, they are a donation of  Mister  Eulalio Ferrer. Among the works that can be found there are works from Dali,  Rafael and Pedro Coronel. Tuesday to  Saturday 10:00-18:00. Sundays 10:00-15:00

8.- Casa de Diego Rivera: This is a house dating from the XVIII century in which the world famous muralist Diego Rivera was born. In this place there are many works from Rivera in exhibition. It is open, Tuesday to  Saturday 10:00-18:30. Sunday 10:00-14:30.

9.- Olga Costa-José Chávez Morado Casa Museo: These two artists left great paintings to be admired. José Chavez Morado learned from Diego Rivera and became himself also a great muralist, with his paintings present on the walls of the Alhóndiga and the Municipal building, among other buildings.

10.- Palacio Legislativo: It was built  in 1753. Its  façade is  of neoclassical style and the interior has an influence of  art  nouveau.   During the first half  of the XX century it was the house for the three powers of the state. It was inaugurated in 1903 by  General Porfirio Diaz. Today is the house for the Legislative Power of the State of Guanajuato.

"El Baratillo" Fountain In Guanajuato

In the city of Guanajuato you can find many charming "plazas" that will invite you to stay an denjoy the environment. One of the most representative of these "plazas" is "El Baratillo". This is situated right in the central zone of the city, it´s surrounded by many old houses of historical values. 

Its main attraction is the lovely fountain situated in the center of the plaza. It has its origins in Florence, Italy; in the year 1852.

Three big helicopters passing by the city in a cloudy July evening. The colourful houses on the hills of Guanajuato make a great contrast with the grey and white clouds of this overcast sky. Notice a reminiscent of an old era, the big "parabolic dish" on the roof the red house. An antenna that now only serves as a reminder that once, not too long ago, we didn't have "optic fibre" lines, neither internet.

It's also important to mention that historically, the city of Guanajuato had been kind of isolated, the big hills and mountains around the houses blocked many of the communication signals sent by air from the old tv and radio stations. Now, with the great advance of internet presence in the city, this is most an issue from the past.     

"La Compañía" Church Cupola - Night View

The cupola of "La Compañía" church is illuminated at night. This is an old building, its construction was mandated by the Jesuitas in the XVIII century. It is one of the most characteristic, and old, buildings of the city of Guanajuato. It has an architectural style known as "churrigueresco". The building is impressive in the size of its walls and the interiors. You will find a great collection of "sacred art", mainly paints by Miguel Cabrera, in the gallery adjacent to the church. There are also concerts and other cultural events that take place inside the walls of this historical building.

Strange Lions Guarding An Old Castle In Guanajuato

These two lions, guard the entrance of an old house, that looks more as a castle, in the "La Presa de la Olla" zone in Guanajuato. The big house used to be the residence of the state Governor. These days the building is used as government offices, particularly the " Secretaría de Finanzas" (finance office).

I find these lions looking more like "Scooby Do" than a fiery beast. Definitely they are not the best lion statues you can find in the city or in any other city in México or the world.

"Presa de la Olla" Pouring Water In July

In July of every year, rain season has been present in the region for more than a month and one of the indicators that let people of Guanajuato know that the rain has been good, or at least enough, is the pouring of water from one of the most famous dams of the city. This is the "La Olla" dam, situated on the west tip of the urban zone. This is the place where the roads to the mines have their starting point and somehow marks the end of the city, as the "Sierra de Guanajuato" embraces the region with its mountains and "Encino" and "Tejocote" trees.

"La Presa de la Olla" host the annual celebration of "La Apertura". This is a gathering where the civil authorities and people in general witness the opening of the dam gates accompanied by the classic piece composed by the famous mexican musician Juventino Rosas, this is the waltz known as "Sobre las Olas".  

Looking North Panoramic View Of Guanajuato City

Walking on the "Panoramic Street" you will be able to enjoy this kind of views. The city of Guanajuato was built inside a "bowl", framed by many hills and mountains that have shaped the alleys and streets of the city. Here you will always be walking uphill or downhill. The straight line seems to be "forbidden".