Guanajuato

Guanajuato (pronounced gwah–nah–HWAH–taw) is both the name of the city and of the Mexican state that it is in. We drove to Guanajuato from San Miguel de Allende. When you come into Guanajuato, the first thing that you notice is the brightly colored houses on the hills.

Guanajuato Tunnels

Our bus was too big to drive into the tunnels that run into the historic center, so we transferred into vans. The tunnels were built to prevent major flooding during the rainy season and now they are used for cars and pedestrians. Quite an experience driving through the tunnels as they were more like caves with branches to travel to different openings.

Guanajuato Historic Center

The historic center in Guanajuato is easily worth a few days time, but we had only a short time here. There are colonial churches, colonial buildings, steep streets that may take you some careful time to walk on, many interesting stores, museums, and great sculptures. Photo: one of the many churches, El Templo de San Diego de Alcantara, built around 1663.

La Giganta

One of the unusual sculptures is La Giganta, a sculpture by Jose Luis Cuevas.

El Pipila

The sculpture of El Pipila is high up on a hill. There is a funicular up to the top of the hill to see the sculpture and for a view of the city––I didn’t have time to do this. El Pipila is the hero of Guantajuato because through his brave actions the first victory of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain was won.

Plaza de la Paz

The center of the historic district is the Plaza de la Paz, the Peace Plaza. It is surrounded by colonial buildings.

Basilica of Guanajuato

Also facing the Plaza de la Paz is the Parroquiade Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato (the Basilica of Guanajuato), built between 1671 and 1696.

Templo de la Compania de Jesus

Just down the street from the Basilica of Guanajuato is the Templo de la Compania de Jesus Oratoro de San Felipe Neri, consecrated in 1765.

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in the tourist office. Guanajuato is the home of Diego Rivera. I took this photo on my own walk around the historic center. There was a fast–moving, steep walk offered by our local guide which I did not take.

Casa de Espiritus Alegres

After our visit to the historic center of Guanajuato, we had lunch at the Casa de Espiritus Alegres, a hacienda converted into a bed and breakfast that was owned by our local guide. Photo: the lobby.

My Lunch

This grilled meat with home–made guacamole and hibiscus juice was one of the best meals that I had in Mexico.

Casa de Espiritus Alegres

Beautiful bougainvillea at the Casa de Espiritus Alegres.

Casa de Espiritus Alegres

The casa also had a number of beautifully decorated chairs. After lunch, we headed to the city of Morelia in the Mexican state of Michoacan.

I have put my photos of Guanajuato on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/guanajuato/ (Slide Shows, Central America, Mexico, Colonial Mexico Tour, “Guanajuato”).

Hotel Alamdea

We checked into our beautiful colonial hotel, the Hotel Alamdea, in the late afternoon and we stayed here two nights.

Morelia

Morelia is a Spanish colonial town founded in 1541 and is in the Mexican state of Michoacan. The historic buildings in Morelia are made of pink cantera stone, though in the late afternoon and then the next day in the morning and again in the late afternoon, the stones appeared brown. The buildings in the photo border the central plaza, the Plaza de Armas.

Morelia Cathedral

The Morelia Cathedral, built 1660–1744. One side of it faces the Plaza de Armas. There was a short late–afternoon walk to see more of the Morelia buildings given by our tour director but I didn’t take it.

I have put my photos of Morelia on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/morelia/ (Slide Shows, Central America, Mexico, Colonial Mexico Tour, “Morelia”).

Restaurante San Miguelito

Tonight, we had a group dinner at the Restaurante San Miguelito. Its decor was very interesting.

Restaurante San Miguelito

Two of the unusual chairs at the restaurant.

Restaurante San Miguelito

More of the decor.

Restaurante San Miguelito

Everything was for sale at the restaurant including plates. The deco plates were placed before us when we sat down but removed before we were served.

Rincon de las Solteronas

The restaurant had a rincon de las solteronas (corner of the spinsters). If you are looking for a husband, you turn a statue or a picture of San Antonio de Padua upside down and then light a candle and ask for a husband.

Rincon de las Solteronas

More of the corner of the spinsters.

Restaurante San Miguelito

In the restaurant’s gift shop.