Guanajuato... a city built in an impossible place to build a city- right in the middle of a ravine. This must have posed problems for early city leaders who needed to deliver services to the people, but has left a visually amazing place in its wake.



This theater, like Bellas Artes in Mexico City, was commissioned and built by the dictator Porfirio Diaz.


It's also a nice place to grab a cup of joe in the morning...


Guanajuato is a city built upon itself, with dozens of tunnels throughout and within.




From the top of the hill on the the south side, you can see the whole of Guanajuato.

Why did they feel the need to build three HUGE cathedrals right next to each other???

On top of this hill is a monument to Juan José de los Reyes Martínez (El Pípila), the indigenous man who won the first battle for Mexican independence. While Spanish soldiers fortified themselves within the Alhóndigas, a huge fortress-like grain warehouse, El Pípila strapped a huge stone slab to his back, walked backwards to the front door of the building, and amid heavy gunfire from the Spanish, lit the place on fire. While the Spanish burned, the Mexican rebels led by Miguel Hidalgo stormed in and took control of their first military victory.


The Alhóndigas ...


Within it is a museum to the independance movement. It includes numerous murals depicting the revolutionary struggle. This scene refers to Hidalgo's call for the emancipation of slaves in Mexico.


Murals also spoke out against Spanish atrocities...






As a result of El Pípila's and Hidalgo's successful capture of Guanajuato, the Spanish never forgave them. After many initial victories the independence forces lost several major battles and leaders, including Hidalgo. After execution by torture and firing squad, many of these leaders had their heads exhibited in cages at the four corners of the Alhóndigas ....


This only served to stregthen the resolve of the Mexican people, who rode into battle with colores such as this one displayed inside the Alhóndigas ...


A scene depicting the storming of the Alhóndigas...


After independence Mexico fell into a civil war called the Liberal Wars. The liberals sought to implement a government based on secular ideas and democracy. Their leader, Benito Juarez, for a time centered his government in Guanajuato.




Within the Alhóndigas are memorial chambers to the revolutionary leaders who lost their lives in the war for independence.


Most of them, including Hidalgo, are now buried with honors in Mexico City....