Guanajuato is possible the most charming city of Mexico, the city is a delightful mix of colourful colonial buildings, narrow steep streets climbing the hills of the Sierra de Guanajuato with a vibrant student community centred around the large university. Guanajuato by day is a joy to wander and explore while the nights is to socialise, eat and drink in the active night life scene of the city. Guanajuato should be high on the destination list for a tour or visit to Mexico.
Guanajuato clings to the sides of a valley deep within the Sierra de Guanajuato mountain range. The steep hills have prevented the invasion of the car which blights many other Mexican cities and there is only two roads in or out of the city, Guanajuato was designed to be explored on foot.
Tourist may ask why early setters ever decided on such an inappropriate terrain to be the site of the province capital, as pre Spanish Mexicans called the region “Area of the Frogs”, the origins of Guanajuato name, as the area was only suitable for frogs. The answer to the early formation of the city lies below the ground as a massive silver vein runs the length of the city and this was extensively mined and sent back to King Philip V and Spain.
The silver mines of Guanajuato were vast, during the 18th century the mines produced 2/3 of the worlds silver production and miners flooded into the city swelling the population of the once insignificant city. On the back of this wealth from the silver Guanajuato flourished becoming the principal influence within the region and the construction of much of the colourful colonial architecture which draws the tourists today.
The city appears to be completely car free as the roads run below the city in the disused mines, the main road of central Guanajuato extendes for 3 km and is the only entrance exit to the city. Sights of Guanajuato include:
- The Basilica of Guanajuato, Mexican Churrigueresque styled church.
- Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kisses)
- Riding The Funicular of Guanajuato to the Monumnet of El Pipila.
- The church of La Valenciana (1765-88)
- The Mummies of Guanajuato.
- Statue of Christ-Rei in exactly the centre of Mexico.
- Diego Rivera Museum - the birth place of Mexico's greatest modern artist.
- The lively heart of the city the Jardin Union.
- Boca del Infierno (hells mouth) is 600 meter deep mine shaft which to the indigenous people appeared to stretch to the centre of hell, while must have felt the same for the unfortunate souls who were forced to work the deep mine.
