San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
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La Parroquia in the Sun, the most famous landmark icon, yet, one of the youngest constructions in one of the New World's oldest towns. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico was once one of the largest cities in all of New Spain AND the emerging American colonies to the North.
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In the middle of the 16th century the Viceroy of New Spain listened to the persuasion of Don Angel de Villafañe that a safe, inland settlement was needed to provide safe haven along the path of those who carried gold and silver from the mines in Zacatecas. The likeliest candidate for an overnighter was San Miguel de los Chichimecas. It had been founded in 1542 by Father Juan de San Miguel, a Franciscan missionary. Because of these three men's actions San Miguel thrives today.
History has placed the following appendixes to the name San Miguel --"de los Chimichecas", later "el Grande,"and finally, "de Allende".
This town is steeped in colonial history, bubbling with an indefinable romance on every cobblestoned street. A distinctly Mexican town with centuries of history, yet, oddly worldly and cosmopolitan in its present culture. |
San Miguel was eventually renamed "de Allende" in honor of Ignacio Allende, a martyred home town hero and soldier who fought and died for the cause of New Spanish independence. Relatively recently in its history, during September, 1810, General Allende, who had both hosted and attended clandestine meetings in homes close around the Main Plaza organized there the first Insurgent army to attempt to win Independence from Spain. Firearms, machetes and knives were handed out in the spot where today balloon vendors ply their trade and strolling mariachis serenade an endless stream of young lovers.
The World arrives and stays -- French, Belgian, German, Austrian, Dutch, South African, Russian, Australian, New Zealandander, Canadian, Spanish, Portugese, Chilean, Peruvian, North American, British, Japanese visitors stroll the cobblestoned streets of San Miguel de Allende. We have been visited, and settled, by every nationality in the world. And, of course, by Mexicans from every state and city of Mexico. Each person contributes a flair, a talent, a skill, a dream, or maybe a new restaurant!
While San Miguel de Allende appears to be "off the beaten path", it appears to be a journey that the rest of the world, at some time, beats a path to.
San Miguel is the town in Mexico famous for having more fiestas than any other in the country.
Visit us during these upcoming months. Fiesta and Save!
Jun 10 - Corpus Christi Day: Procession of Blessed Sacrament
Jun 13 - Feast of San Antonio: Parade of Locos
Jun 26 - Anniversary of the Death of General Ignacio Allende
Jul 11 - Feast at Atotonilco
Jul 16 - Feast of the Virgin del Carmen
Jul 30 - Anniversary of the Death of Father Hidalgo
Jul 30 - Aug 13 - Chamber Music Festival
Aug 8 - Feast of Santo Domingo
Sep 1 - President's State of the Union Address
Sep 13 - Commemoration of the Death of the Child Heroes
Sep 15 - Independence Grito, Fireworks and Celebration
Sep 16 - Independence Day Parade
Sep 23 - Sanmiguelada (Running of the bulls)
Sep 29 - Feast of San Miguel Archángel (Patron Saint of San Miguel)
Oct 2 - Arrival of Indians with Xuchiles, Conchero Dances, Bullfights & Castillos
Oct 10 - Feast of San Francisco
Oct 12 - Columbus Day
Oct 31 - End of Daylight Saving Time
Nov 1 - All Saints Day
Nov 2 - All Souls Day - Day of the Dead
Nov 20 - Anniversary of the Revolution of 1910
Nov 24 - Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.
Nov 25 - Nov 27 - International Jazz Festival
Dec 12 - Feast of Mexico's Patroness: Virgin of Guadalupe
Dec 16 - Dec 24 - Posadas
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 31 - Traditional midnight suppers & religious services
San Miguel The town itself is a protected national
monument, with narrow cobblestone streets, public buildings and private residences over 400 years old with their huge interiors hidden behind massive wooden doors. Perhaps bougainvillea flowers spill over the tops of their stone walls to hint of the tropical splendor within. flowers cascading over the high walls.
According to the latest census figures there are over 61,000 residents in San Miguel.
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The Church of Las Monjas (Monks)
one block below the Central Plaza
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Looking up Calle Correo from the
Central Plaza at the Jardin in front of
the Parroquia church.
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A Saint on Every Corner?
San Miguel is an artist's colony, at 6,400+ feet, with azure skies, wonderful weather. Because of a combination of altitude and southern latitude most of the year is exceptionally comfortable. In October the fields of wildflowers add an excitingly varied hue to the hills. There is lots to see and do with several hot springs for swimming, horseback riding, hiking, including to the world-famous Botanic Gardens just a ten minute hike from Arcos Del Atascadero Bed and Breakfast. Terrific restaurants with Old World ambience and the music of the World to cast the perfect romantic spell. The shopping opportunities for crafts and decorative items and unique fashion abound, and there are many art galleries and night spots with great music. |
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