SURROUNDING
AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES
Leon
? Located 54 km (33 mi) east of Guanajuato off highways 110 and 45. This is
one the most
emblematic cities in the state of
Guanajuato, as it has strong
historical and cultural relevance. The city is one
of the most
important producers of leather goods;
it?s also known for its
crafts and fairs, such as the Leon Fair, which takes places during the last
two weeks of January and
the first week of February.
As for architecture, the Historic Center
is the ideal place to admire monumental buildings, such as the Catedral Basilica, el Palacio Municipal and
the historic Plaza de los
Fundadores, where you?ll find the Fuente de Leones, a feline monument built in 1976 to celebrate the city?s
400th anniversary. In Leon?s surrounding
areas you can visit the zoo,
where you?ll see more than 2,000 animals and 240 different species. Finally, there?s the Parque Metropolitano, which hosts the National
Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Route to
Dolores Hidalgo and Atotonilco ? Departing
from Guanajuato head 73 km (45 mi) east until you reach
the Parroquia de Atotonilco,
a church that dates back to 1746. It was
here that parish priest Miguel Hidalgo took a banner of
the Virgin of Guadalupe to use during the independence
movement. The church is a bastion
of New Spain
Baroque architecture. Inside you?ll see
indigenous-influenced art, such as the
murals of Miguel Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre. From Atotonilco, take Highway 51 to the San Sebastian
turnoff, then follow Highway 110 for 5 km (3 mi) until you arrive
at Dolores Hidalgo, which was dubbed the
Magical Town due to its
beautiful architecture, friendly people and important history.
You can begin a tour of city at
the historic Parroquia de
Nuestra Señora de Dolores, considered one of the
best examples of New Spain Baroque
architecture. It?s also of great
historical importance; it was here
that Miguel Hidalgo summoned
the Mexican people to launch
the rebellion for independence. You can still see
one of the
bell towers that Hidalgo rang to begin the
independence movement. Not far from
here you?ll find the Presidencia Municipal building, known as the Casa Abasolo, where the independence
was born. You can also visit
the Casa de las Visitas, an
18th-century Baroque-style mansion, as well as the Museum
of Independence and the Casa de Hidalgo. Dolores also produces majolica ceramics, an ancient
technique brought to Mexico by the
Spaniards in the 16th
century.
