San Miguel de Allende

The Heart of Mexico

The Best City in Latin America is in Mexico

The city of San Miguel de Allende, Cultural Heritage, has been honored by Travel + Leisure as “the best city in Mexico, Central & South America and the No. 3 in the world” in its awards “World’s Best Awards 2016 “! # TLWorldsBest
This recognition is awarded by the readers of the magazine world’s most influential travel, who through a poll voted for the period from November 2, 2015 to February 29, 2016.

San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico’s most beautiful treasures, and was nominated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its cultural and architectonic wealth, which is representative of the Mexican Baroque, in addition to its historical importance during the Mexican struggle for Independence.

Instituto Allende
The institute was founded in 1950, and began offering credits through the University of Guanajuato in 1951. The school was founded by Sterling Dickenson and others. It is an independent, private, non-profit organization. The campus is a few blocks southwest of the center of San Miguel de Allende. The professors and office staff are all bilingual English-Spanish.

The main Plaza (the “garden”) in San Miguel the main square is called el Jardin Principal. Jardin, which means “garden” is a fitting name for this square which is full of carefully trimmed laurel trees and other greenery. Plentiful benches invite you to have a seat and watch the people go by. A kiosk in the center of the Jardin provides a space for live music performances. This is the meeting place for expats and Mexicans alike, and the perfect spot to while an afternoon away, or spend an evening enjoying live music and the animated social life of this colonial town.

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel is located on the south side of the Jardin. This multi-spired church is the iconic symbol of San Miguel de Allende. Its dusty rose Neo-Gothic facade is unique in Mexico. The church was built in the seventeenth century, but the distinctive facade was added later, in the late nineteenth century. Zeferino Gutierrez, an indigenous bricklayer and self-taught architect was in charge of updating the facade and it is said that he was inspired by postcards depicting gothic churches in Europe.

“El Nigromante” where fine arts are taught such as painting, sculpture, photography, music, and others.
It is a branch of the well known Fine Arts Institute in Mexico City. The impressive building dates from the mid eighteenth century and was once the Convent of Conception. It is distinguished by a huge central tree-lined patio.

The city’s Public Library has an extensive collection of both Spanish- and English-language books and films, and offers a quiet respite from the sights and sounds of the city. In 1954, Canadian expat Helen Wale invited Mexican children to read through a collection of magazines in her home. Soon, the volume of visitors outgrew the space. In 1958, the library moved to its current location in an 18th-century building several blocks north of El Jardin in central San Miguel. Today, in addition to its abundant bilingual media, the library offers free classes for children on subjects like computers, painting and piano.

“La Aurora” What was once a textile Factory, today is home to canvases, sculptures and artisanal craftwork made by the great artists who live in San Miguel.
Having for more than nine decades acted as an important engine for the local textile industry and workforce, the Aurora Factory’s walls have transformed to shelter canvas paintings, arts and crafts where giant looms once stood, replacing and enhancing their fame.
And so, in the year 2004, the first workshops were opened, laying the seed that would become a full-fledged arts and culture center.

The Magical Town of Dolores Hidalgo was the cradle of our country’s most emblematic patriotic act: Independence. Every crack and crevice has its histories and legends; in nearby haciendas the conspiratory murmur of rebels is still heard and in the streets the songs of the town’s prodigal son, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, are always playing. But there’s more to Dolores Hidalgo besides history and Baroque style architecture you will find fanciful flavored ice cremas and colorful Talavera-style ceramics, a Mexican variation of the Spanish majolica pottery made in Puebla.

The Sanctuary of Atotonilco is a church complex and a World Heritage Site, designated along with nearby San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. The complex was built in the 18th century by Father Luis Felipe Neri de Alfaro who, according to tradition, was called upon by a vision of Jesus with a crown of thorns on his head and carrying a cross. The main feature of the complex is the rich Mexican Baroque mural work that adorns the main nave and chapels. This was chiefly the work of Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre over a period of thirty years. The mural work has led the complex to be dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.” The complex remains a place of worship and penance to this day, attracting as many as 5,000 visitors every week”.