San Miguel de
Allende, GTO
Named after two
people: Juan de San Miguel and General Ignacio Allende
San Miguel Allende is
a wonderful colonial city to visit any time of the year. The
climate is perfect year round to meander around the city and
explore the fine restaurants and art galleries and enjoy the
city on foot. It is a charming place where Mexican and the
10,000 American and Canadian residents have mingled easily and
produced a gentrified city with a reputation for fine arts and a
higher cultural appreciation.
Fast Facts
Population – 80,000
Elevation – 6,000 to
6,400 ft
Climate – Semi Arid
Max/Min Temperatures
variations: January 71/45, April 82/54, July 76/56, October
75/54
Monthly variation:
Slightly hotter and humid in the summer
Rainy season: June to
October
Money – Bank ATM’s
Airport –Festivals
(Date then name
Semana Santa – Week
preceding Easter
While all of Latin
America celebrates Holy Week, Semana Santa in San Miguel is
particularly attractive for Mexicans and tourists with daily
parades and festivities. September 29th honors the town’s patron
saint and celebrates with traditional dancing, cultural
activities and even a running of the bulls down city streets.
The San Miguel Music Festival is held every December and
features Mexican and International artists.
Medical – Numerous
Doctors throughout the city.
*
History
San Miguel is an old
silver mining city originally known as San Miguel El Grande and
was founded by the Franciscan order in 1542 after a monk named
Juan de San Miguel. It was an important trading center for gold
and silver along the silver route, the Antigua Camino Real, used
to transport precious metals to Spain from other towns such as
Zacatecas. The city reached its colonial height in the mid-
1700’s with a population of over 30,000 people – larger than any
colony in the US or Canada at the time. The elaborate homes,
colonial mansions and magnificent churches were built and
enjoyed by the wealthy traders and merchants blessed with the
silver trade along the route.
As the silver deposits
dried up in San Miguel in the 1800’s, the city’s population and
wealth dwindled and many buildings came into a state of
disrepair. The War of Independence declared in the nearby town
of Delores Hidalgo on September 16th, 1810 forever changed the
political and economic climate of the country. In 1826 the city
was renamed to San Miguel de Allende after General Ignacio
Allende, a native son and lieutenant in Padre Miguel Hidalgo’s
army fighting against Spanish rule.
Today
San Miguel Allende is
a wonderful colonial city to visit any time of the year. The
climate is perfect year round to meander around the city and
explore the fine restaurants and art galleries and enjoy the
city on foot. It is a charming place where Mexican and the
10,000 American and Canadian residents have mingled easily and
produced a gentrified city with a reputation for fine arts and a
higher cultural appreciation.
Our favorite pastime
when we visit is to walk along the colorful cobblestone streets
and photograph the abundant remarkable churches and colonial
buildings. The skyline is full of interesting steeples and
colonial décor, interesting angles and colors that make every
photo a keeper. The abundant squares provide good resting spots
and places to people watch as the residents play, stop for a
moment or travel to and fro from work to home.
San Miguel is located
in the State of Guanajuato in the center of Mexico. Because of
its 6000 ft plus altitude, San Miguel provides an inviting
climate to base yourself. The temperatures remain constant,
fluctuating approximately 12° F (6 ° C) between summer and
winter. Rainfall increases from June to September with downpours
rather than constant drizzle. It is close to other major cities
and towns, (Guanajuato, San Luis Potasi, Delores Hidalgo,
Queretaro) and provides a good base to explore this region.
This colonial gem has
been lovingly restored. In 1926 San Miguel was declared a
national monument and the central historical district has strict
building and restoration codes used to preserve its wealthy and
historical past. There are no street lights, neon signs,
McDonald’s or any “modern building style”. After the Second
World War the town was “discovered” by returning veterans and
their families and a small but steady migration of expats
persists today, attracted to the quaint small city with almost
perfect climate.
Today San Miguel,
population 80,000 boasts a number of organizations that cater to
the English speaking community. Clubs, groups, charitable and
artistic organizations are plentiful and the library, Biblioteca
de San Miguel is superb with the second largest collection of
English books in Mexico and a free internet connection. There
are numerous galleries, exhibits and festivals that attract
tourists as well as entertain the locals year round.
Walking Around Town
We strongly suggest
you put on your best sneakers or walking shoes and take a taxi
or collective (van taxi) to the historic district. Ask to be let
off at “The Jardin” the main zocalo or city square in front of
the city’s trademark “La Parroquia” church, Church of St.
Michael the Archangel, with its highly ornate neo-gothic
architecture. Take a moment to sit and enjoy the city life in
one of the many wrought iron benches that border the square
looking towards the ornate bandstand in the centre. Here, like
many zocaloes in Mexico, shoe shine stands, vendors of balloons
and sweets dot the border of the square. Old men chat together
and read newspapers. Kids kick balls or balloons for a few feet
or chase pigeons that seem to be playing tag with the kids.
Business people are walking briskly; tourist’s are taking
pictures and looking amazed at the church that dominates one
whole side of the square.
And while it is
seductive to just sit for the whole day and watch life unfold in
this city, take a walk around the church, and take a visit
inside. Built in the seventeenth century, the neo-gothic facade
was added later in 1888. Inside are tombs of church bishops and
important political persons, including a president, who were
born in this city. They are not open to the public except on
November 2nd – Day of the Dead.
Walk along the
twisting cobblestone streets and enjoy the street scenes;
Colonial houses with tiny balconies with overflowing flowerpots,
colorful and ornate doorways and small interesting specialty
shops. Follow the church bells to new and different sites. The
churches are plentiful and differ in design and feel. Sample
fresh buns from the bakeries as you go or buy a popsicle known
as a paletta. Pop into a small gallery or art shop that dot the
area. Some of the best art and crafts are here – not just cheap
tourist trinkets.
When you get hungry,
try some of the small intimate cafes. Menus are usually posted
outside and you can menu-hop until you find the perfect plate
at the perfect price. In San Miguel you can get away with
spending just a few dollars for a local meal or be knocked off
your feet with high cuisine at one of the many international
restaurants.
We enjoy a local pub
off the main square on the east flank for a Dos XX’s or two
after a hard day of shopping and photography. It is an old dark
cantina with brown sepia toned photos; San Miguel landscapes
from the past, a few standard prints of Poncho Villa. The
patrons and staff laugh and are eager to talk to you practicing
their English. At times the juke box blares old Mexican songs of
bravery, loyalty and love; A table bursts into song, a couple
dance slowly and intimately or a few more tourists enter the
swinging western doors from the square outside.
Where to
stay
Hotels (Coming Soon)
Camping
Webers Tenis
Courts
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