Our hotel's patio in Alamos in the Mexican state of Sonora. Alamos has been designated as a "Pueblo Magico," a place that would give one a magical experience. It was founded in 1685 by the Spanish and its architecture is Spanish Anadalusian. It is the best preserved Mexican colonial town in northern Mexico.

The fountain on the patio.

The walkway.

Seen through an arch.

A large decorated pot.

We had a $5.00 option to be taken around Alamos in a 12-passenger tram by a tour guide driver. The cobblestones on most of Alamo's streets are not the original ones, making it much easier to walk on them. The Church of La Purisima Concepcion is in the background.

We passed the Casa del Chocolate. Our guide told us that this casa is owned by someone from the Hersey chocolate family and also that the casa is for sale.

Alamos is also know as La Ciudad de los Portales for its many tall, arched, covered verandas and walkways.

A covered veranda.

A colonial house. Alamos was a silver mining town which came into ruin when its silver mines closed in the early 1900s. But in 1946, foreigners came to Alamos and started restoring its homes and mansions. We were told that one foreigner was Carroll O'Connor of Archie Bunker fame. Other famous foreigners also came. Today, its silver mine is again open and also a copper mine.

A street in Alamos.

A street in Alamos.

An old gate.

Verandas on both side with the tallest church steeple in Alamos in the background.

Small colonial house.

Another veranda.

Another part of the town.

Taking the family for a ride.

Sushi here.

A rustic part of Alamos.

Horses grazing.

We were told that this mansion is haunted. A woman owns it but doesn't live here, probably because of its ghosts.

The Church of La Purisima Concepcion in the background.

A veranda.

An Alamos street.

Another Alamos street.

There are still houses in Alamos that are available for sale and for renovation.

The next day, we had a walking tour of Alamos. Photo of our tour guide.

Colonial buildings.

Colonial buildings.

Colonial building.

A number of the buildings had chimney stacks like these.

Dramatic cacti.

View through an arch.

A street with probably the original cobblestones.

A home that we visited. Its patio.

Its fountain.

Close-up.

More of its patio.

A beautiful tiled pot.

More of its patio.

A lliving room.

A painting on its wall.

Close-up of the left side of the painting.

Close-up of the right side of the painting.

A display case.

Close-up.

A dining room.

Artwork.

Artwork.

There was a bar here with this sign: "All you need is love and some coffee!"

Another room.

The Palacio Municipal--the city hall.

Closer-up of the Mexican flag.

Verandas.

An Alamos street.

The bandstand (gazebo) on the Plaza de Armas.

It has a Moorish decor.

Close-up.

Close-up.

A veranda I believe at the community center.

There was many paintings of Mexican life on its walls.

Painting.

Painting.

Painting.

Painting.

Painting.

Painting.

Painting.

Painting.

The chapel.

A tiled fountain made into a planter with a mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico.

The Church of La Purisima Concepcion, 1826.

Its steeple.

The church from the side.

Its entrance.

Inside the church.

Inside the church.

Inside the church.

Inside the church.

Inside the church.

Close-up.

Closer-up.

The Stations of the Cross were paintings.

Painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe.