SURROUNDING
AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES
Route From
Dolores Hidalgo to Celaya. Departing from San
Miguel de Allende, take Highway 51 toward Dolores
Hidalgo. The first stop is the Sanctuary of Atotonilco,
a historic building where priest Miguel Hidalgo took up the banner of the
Virgin of Guadalupe to signify the beginning of the War of Independence. The
edifice is a baroque construction; the interior is decorated with indigenous
elements and it houses beautiful frescos.
When you?re ready to move
on, take the same highway for about 20 km (14 mi), then follow the Highway 110
turnoff to the magical town of Dolores
Hidalgo, the cradle of Mexico?s
independence movement. This colonial town offers gorgeous examples of 17th-
and 18th-century architecture. During you visit to the city, don?t
forget to check out the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Dolores, which
is where the cry for independence was first heard. It?s also an excellent
example of New Spain baroque architecture. Another
attraction of interest is the Museo Casa de Hidalgo,
which features rooms decorated with furniture from the 18th century.
Dolores Hidalgo is a good place to buy traditional Majolica ceramics at
affordable prices.
After visiting there, take Highway
110 for 53 km (33 mi) to state capital Guanajuato,
which has beautiful cobblestone streets and splendid colonial architecture,
making it a true cultural treasure. There you can marvel at magnificent
buildings such as the La Alhondiga de Granaditos (The Grain Depository), which houses the Regional History Museum; La Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajauto (Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato);
El Palacio de Gobierno
Municipal (The Municipal Palace); and the House of Count Rul,
among other attractions.
Departing from Guanajuato,
take Highway 110 to the El Espejo turnoff, then
follow Highway 45 for 68 km (42 mi) to Salamanca, where you can visit the
Convent and Church of San Agustin, a gem of Mexican baroque architecture
decorated with beautiful New Spain altarpieces and small wax figures. Next,
continue along Highway 45 for 40 km (25 mi) to the last stop: Celaya. There you can see
amazing edifices such as the Templo del Carmen, El Claustro Agustino and El Convento y El Templo de San Francisco, which has altars made
by famed architect Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras.
This city is famous for its delicious nougat crepes, custards and milk candy.
In the restaurants you can try excellent Mexican and international cuisine.
