Mexico Places

Guanajuato

The pretty city of Guanajuato is situated in the hills of the Sierra de Guanajuato in central Mexico. It derives its name from an original native word for `place of frogs` but little did they realise that the invading Spanish would discover one of the most productive silver mines in the world. The wealth generated was to be the foundation of a beautiful colonial city with superb architecture including churches like Iglesia de Can Cayetano.

The spectacular subterranean main street, along the original path of the Guanajuato River, runs under the city for a couple of miles. This leads off to hundreds of narrow alleys for discovering the city. One of the most famous `callejones` is the Callejon del Beso - `Alleyway of the Kiss`, which is so narrow apparently you can stand on a balcony on one side of the alley and kiss a lover on the other side! This alley is part of the route of the popular Callejoneadas when young peoples music groups walk through the alleyways at night singing to guitars and other instuments to entertain the townsfolk.

One of the most popular historical spots is the Alhondiga de Granaditas, a former granary used as a fortress by the Spanish when under attack from the Mexican forces in the War of Independence in 1810. The rebel army prevailed under the heroic leadership of Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez, `El Pipila`, who is now honoured by an enormous statue high above the town. It is now used as the region`s museum, holding artefacts from before the Conquistadores through the Independence conflicts and to more recent history.