Located
170 miles north of Mexico City, the
colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, population 80,000, lies on the
slopes of a hill facing the Laja River and the distant Guanajauto
Mountains. San Miguel was declared a national monument in 1956, and thus
retains much of its old-world flavor. It is often referred to as the most beautiful
city of
all of Mexico. It abounds with Spanish colonial architecture, flower-filled patios, and winding, terraced cobblestone streets. Burros
deliver wood; women sell handmade dolls, men hawk straw baskets. It is Mexico's most celebrated artists' community, and has been luring
artistically-inclined Mexicans and foreigners for decades. There are many
schools focusing on arts, literature, and language. Despite the Anglo
invasion, San Miguel retains much of an authentic Mexican village. On the
other hand, the influx of tourists has resulted in charming cafes, pastry
shops, boutiques, art galleries, gyms, yoga studios, etc...
The town is perched at an
altitude of 6,400 feet which keeps the climate warm and sunny during the
day and cool at night. It is eternal spring in San Miguel. Average high
temperatures during June and July are around 78 F with lows at night
around 58 F. The humidity is extremely low-- the weather is perfect!
For shopping, the city boasts some of Mexico's
best shops and fine art boutiques. Also, its dining scene is top notch.
Nouvelle Mexican cuisine, plus a diverse assortment of international
dining options have given San Miguel a reputation for having the best
"small town" dining in Mexico. The city boasts a thriving
cultural and entertainment scene. Many events are in English. San Miguel’s
night life is quite festive with jazz bands, concerts, coffee
houses, and performing troupes.
Most of San Miguel's sightseeing
highlights are clustered around the compact downtown area. This is a
wonderful city for aimless wandering along its narrow cobbled lanes. El
Jardin, the city's main plaza, is where people, locals and foreigners, sit
and talk It is truly used as a place to meet people, chat, and
relax..
History: San Miguel is situated in the heart of Mexico’s central
plateau. The city has been the scene for important events at various key
times which have helped to influence modern Mexico.
The majority of archaeological remains maintained
as monuments were constructed between 900 and 1100 A.D. The ancient
settlers of the region were forced to abandon them for a number of
reasons. From 1200 A.D. onwards, the region was occupied by indigenous
groups. In 1542 the Franciscan friar Juan de San Miguel set out to begin
his evangelical work among the local inhabitants of the region. On
September 29, 1542, he founded the first settlement, which was called, San
Miguel de los Chichimecas (the indigenous people of that time).
In 1555, the settlement
was officially founded as Villa de San Miguel, gaining great importance
thanks to its location as well as its thriving textile and livestock
industries. It became one of the richest and most prosperous towns in the
New Spain. From the 17th century onwards, magnificent houses
and mansions were built and in the 18th century many of the
imposing religious edifices were erected. At the beginning of the last
century, the seeds of Mexican Independence were sown in San Miguel. In
1810 the first insurgent army was formed there under the command of
Allende, Aldama, Lanzagorta, and others. Now San Miguel is home to
numerous nationally and internationally renowned artists who have chosen
to settle in this paradisiacal location, full of galleries and prestigious
art schools. At night the town provides a more Bohemian atmosphere with
live music to suit all tastes and restaurants where patrons can enjoy any
cuisine. San Miguel is rich in traditions with its colorful popular
fiestas and important cultural festivals which take place throughout the
year.
