Guanajuato, “The City of Eternal Spring,” is one of Mexico’s largely undiscovered treasures. A quaint Spanish colonial town of 80,000 located in the very heart of Mexico, it offers miles of callejones, the little alleyways that meander and wind throughout the city. As there is no traffic on the callejones, they offer a relaxing walk through history, as well as a good workout, as Guanajuato is a hilly city. When you travel to Guanajuato, one of the best things to do for fun is simply walk. Delightful surprises are around every corner. However, on your walks, you must make certain to check out some of the wonderful sights that Guanajuato offers as well.
1. A romantic place to go is the “Callejon del Besos,” literally, the alley of kisses. This is a very narrow passageway where the balconies above the alley nearly touch; they are so close together. The story is behind this scene is very Romeo and Juliet—lovers who lived in the houses would steal kisses from the balconies, until one day, the girl’s father caught the kissing pair and they met a tragic end. Paradoxically, today it is considered very good luck to kiss someone under the balconies in the Callejon del Beso.
2. To get a sense of what a true “hacienda” is, you must visit the Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel. The house is open, and roped-off rooms show you the grandeur of the furnishings. The real treasure, however, is the grounds. They seem to go on forever. There are small paths, fountains, pools, and pavilions, along with greenery that is unrivaled. Take your camera. This is what many people dream of when they garden.
3. Visit the Mina and Templo La Valenciana, a 250 year old mine, which used to produce a significant quantity of the world’s gold and silver. It is still being run on a minimal scale, and you can look down the very deep shaft! There are also picturesque ruins around the mine, which make for great photo opportunities.
4. Some people may enjoy the Museo de las Momias. Practically every Mexican has heard of it, and many make the trip to Guanajuato just to see this attraction. In this particular cemetery, relatives must pay to keep the body in the original burial spot. Even today, bodies are still being exhumed. Since the mineral content of the soil has somehow contributed to mummification rather than decomposition, many of the bodies exhumed are mummified, and have been placed on display. Not for the faint of heart.
5. The Museo y Casa de Diego Rivera is where Diego Rivera was born and spent the first six years of his life. You can see some of the family’s original furniture, as well as many of Rivera’s paintings, including one of Frida Kahlo.
6. In the center of town, you will find the Teatro Juarez. This theater is astounding, even from the outside, where people sit on the steps and relax, flanked by magnificent concrete lions on both sides, and grand pillars behind them. Inside, the theater is simply breathtaking with its red and gold tones, velvets, stained glass and polished wood.
7. The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato is a huge, beautiful church located on the Plaza de Paz. Sunday mass is usually standing room only.
8. Don’t miss a chance to hang out at the Jardin de la Union, where families and teenagers come to hang out and socialize. There is invariably mariachi music, ice cream vendors, and on occasion, a band playing traditional music in the gazebo. This is Guanajuato’s version of the town square, and it will make you long for the days when shopping malls weren’t the social center for many towns in the United States.
9. The Monumento a El Pipila is lots of fun to climb, although it can be a tricky endeavor with small children. The winding staircase will take you to the top of the statue, where you can get a great view of the city. It is reminiscent of a small version of the Statue of Liberty, as Pipila (a nickname for the brave miner Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez) is holding a torch high in the air. This statue was built in remembrance of Pipila’s astounding bravery in helping Hildalgo’s troops to win their first victory in the fight for independence.
10. Not too many people return from a trip to Guanajuato without a souvenir from the Museo Iconografico del Quijote. This museum is dedicated entirely to Don Quixote, and you will see his likeness on a variety of items, and have the opportunity to purchase T-shirts and posters with his likeness as depicted by Picasso.
Hardly a weekend passes in Guanajuato when there is not a parade, festival or cultural event happening. Make sure to stop by the tourist office and get a schedule of events. Whatever the case, your stay in Guanajuato is certain to be one of the most romantic vacations ever.
