Guanajuato,
GTO
“Mountainous
Place of the Frogs”
Guanajuato
is an amazing city; literally a labyrinth of tiny colonial
streets leading into tunnels underground in the belly of the
city. Colorful small houses and grand colonial buildings dot the
urban landscape and center around a plethora of tiny treed
squares that pop out throughout the city.
Fast Facts
Population -
135,000 year
round residents
Elevation –
6,583 feet
(2.008 ms)
Climate –
Mild summers, cool winters
Month
|
High Temp
|
Low Temp
|
January |
71°F
21°C |
42°F
5°C |
February |
74°F
23°C |
44°F
6°C |
March |
78°F
25°C |
48°F
8°C |
April |
81°F
27°C |
52°F
11°C |
May |
82°F
27°C |
55°F
12°F |
June |
79°F
26°C |
56°F
13°C |
July |
74°F
23°C |
55°F
12°C |
August |
75°F
23°C |
55°F
12°C |
September |
74°F
23°C |
54°F
12 °C |
October |
74°F
23°C |
50°F
10°C |
November |
73°F
22°C |
46°F
7°C |
December |
71°F
21°C |
43°F
6°C |
Monthly
variation: Warmer in the summer, cooler and dryer in the Winter
Rainy
season: May to October
Money – Banks and ATMs
Airport – Leon
Festivals
High Tourist
Season – Mid December to Mid March especially Christmas and
Semana Santa, July and August are busy with Mexican vacationers.
Semana Santa – Week
preceding Easter
Cervantino
Festival in mid-October.
Medical – Numerous
Doctors
Industry –
Tourism and agriculture
History
Guanajuato (Quanap-huato)
means “Mountainous Place of the Frogs” in the Purépecha
regional dialect. Some of the nomadic tribes worshipped the
spirit of the frog and settled in this area where a mountain
appeared in a frog-like shape. Situated in a basin of the Sierra
de Guanajuato range, the area was flooded constantly from the
Guanajuato River that overflowed from 3 kms beneath the earth.
Various indigenous bands inhabited the area prior to the arrival
of the Spanish; the Otomi, the Nahua, the Guamares and the
Purépecha. They settled along the river and as the population
increased, homes and settlements expanded up into the hills
following the path of the river.
The Spanish
explored the area in 1541 and the Viceroy granted land to Don
Rodrigo de Vazquez. Seven years later silver and then gold was
discovered and this frontier land was changed overnight.
Haciendas were built on the sides mountains on the river to
enable processing of the valuable metal ores. Businesses, to
support the mining efforts. followed and small settlements
developed into a town. One of the richest silver mines, the
Valenciana mine accounted for 2/3 of the 18th century
world production of silver. The rich Spanish settlers invested
some of their vast fortunes in the area and built beautiful
colonial buildings and churches; the most notable being the
Iglesia de San Cayetano built in 1765. Many of the cultural
buildings and monuments; theatres, museums, churches, markets
and squares in Guanajuato today were built in this period.
The early
1800’s were a time of great unrest in the country and in the
area. Mexican-born silver barons, the descendants of the earlier
Spanish, were increasingly unhappy with the increased taxes
placed on the valuable metals. Additionally church property was
seized and the Jesuits were expelled from the country for
criticizing the Spanish monarchy. This had a profound effect on
education. Napoleon’s invasion of Spain and the subsequent
coronation of his brother Joseph in 1808 sent a rippling effect
into the new world. Mexicans refused to obey the new ruler and
laws sparking a social and political revolt that changed the
nation’s direction in history.
The extreme
poverty and deplorable working conditions of the mine workers
and the taxation burden of the rich under Spanish rule gave
fertile ground for the struggle for independence. Guanajuato was
the birthplace of independence for the nation.
On September
16 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo called the masses of workers to
the church in the small nearby town of Delores through the
customary ringing of the church bells. His speech, known today
as the shout or “grito” declared independence from Spain and
launched a revolutionary army of peasants with swords, machetes,
clubs, axes and other rudimentary mob weaponry.
The rebel
army rallied under the banner of the picture of Our Lady of
Guadalupe, the indigenous and Mexican representation of the
Virgin. They passed through many of the silver towns, gaining
strength in numbers from a few hundred to 82,000 as they
continued their sacking and looting from San Miguel, Celaya,
Guanajuato, Valladolid and onward to Mexico City.
In
Guanajuato the Spanish Army retreated to a granary in the center
of the town. The story goes that Juan José de los Reyes Martínez
known affectionately as "El Pipila" to Hidalgo's forces,
strapped a stone across his back and used it as armor against
the Spanish army bullets. He set fire to the granary door which
allowed entrance of Hidalgo’s forces and subsequent defeat of
the Spanish army.
Hidalgo was
eventually captured six months later, defrocked and found guilty
of treason and heresy. On July 30th he was executed
in Chihuahua by firing squad and beheaded. His head, along with
other revolutionary leaders, was transported and placed on
display for a decade in Guanajuato.
January 17th
1858 President Benito Juarez established the temporary capital
of the country in Guanajuato. Maximilian of Hapsburg visited the
city just six years later and converted the infamous granary
“Alhondiga de Granaditas” into a prison. In 1867 Maximilian’s
empire collapsed and the historical period known as the
Portofirio began. Teatro Juarez was constructed, as were the
legislative Palace, the Mercado, monuments to Hidalgo as well a
railroad. This period brought foreign investment from Germany,
America and Britain to recharge the mining industry in the area
and build tunnels and the reservoir.
In the next
century during the Mexican revolution, Guanajuato felt the full
effects of an economic crisis. A terrible famine in 1916 forced
President Carranza to purchase and distribute grain to help
Guanajuato’s suffering masses.
The city
gradually started to prosper and again took it’s historic seat
as a cultural and educational center of Mexico. The University
of Guanajuato was established in 1946 and extensive restoration
projects took place in the city in the 1950’s including
infrastructure which would later spawn active promotion of
tourism. The panoramic highway was completed in the 70’s and the
world renowned Cervantino Festival was first introduced.
*
Today
Guanajuato
is a photographer’s delight with bright colors and interesting
architectural features everywhere. Every corner is a Kodak
moment and your camera is put to the test as you stroll through
the pedestrian-only streets and stairways. Like a basket of
wildflowers, Guanajuato provides the tourist and resident alike
with a jumbled array of images both visual and historical that
give special pleasure to just be there.
Today
Guanajuato continues it’s cultural and educational leadership.
There are also many
language schools in Guanajuato.Young
people, often attending local colleges and universities, relax
in city squares and the market areas. It is a Mecca for
travelers in the know who want to visit an historic silver city.
Driving to
Guanajuato:
Guanajuato
is to the East of Guadalajara and the north of Mexico City. From
Guadalajara drive North-east on Highway 86 and turn South-east
on Highway 45 through Leon to Guanajuato. These are immaculate
toll Highways. From Mexico City take highway 57 to Irapuato and
turn North-west on Highway 45 to Guanajuato. Do NOT attempt to
drive an RV (other than a van or a low-rise camper) in the city.
The numerous underground waterways have been converted to
underground road tunnels that will lop off the top of any tall
vehicle. Best to leave your vehicle on the outskirts of the city
and take a cheap taxi.
Where to stay
Hotels (Coming Soon)
Camping
Bugamville RV Park
- Guanajuato, Guanajuato
Guanajuato Morrill Van Camp
|