Mágico Pueblo Dolores Hidalgo

Witnessing the heroic story behind Mexico's independence, a fertile land that can produce wine and turn it into vineyards, and the birthplace of one of the world's most famous Mexican singers, José Alfredo Jiménez, Dolores Hidalgo is a Pueblo Mágico (Magical City) that has charm emanating from its walls, full of history.
Of all 46 parishes in Guanajuato state , this may have been the one where the most dreams and fights took place since the days when it was known as "Cocomacán" and "place where lovebirds are hunted" . to conquer and declare the nation's autonomy until it was finally established as the epicenter for the beginning of what is now Mexico.

The first stone of the Iglesia de Dolores (Dolores Church), a site that would later play a leading role , was laid an entire century before the cry of independence was heard. It took almost 70 years to build, which may be an indication of its future importance as an example of Baroque architecture and, above all, as a heroic backdrop .

Although it looks like nothing is really happening on the streets and in the surrounding area, there is actually a lot going on. To the delight of tourists, dishes and ingredients such as mole and avocado have been turned into ice cream, which is sold in the Plaza Principal (main square), which has a weekend atmosphere every day.
Students sit on the benches to go through their notes while the smell of pork rind in salsa roja (red sauce) revives the appetite of even those who have just eaten.
With as many museums as restaurants and canteens , this Pueblo Mágico has it all; Your only dilemma will be deciding where to start. If you are looking for a place to rest , Dolores Hidalgo has hotels steeped in history such as Posada Cocomacán, where Benito Juárez stayed on his return from the north of the country.

This connection booking would go very well with bookings from San Miguel de Allende (45 km) which takes 45 minutes. If you are coming from the capital Guanajuato, the drive takes an hour (60 km). However, it will take you 4 hours and 15 minutes to get there from Mexico City (Mexico City) (320 km).

More information on what to do in Dolores Hidalgo

. ➢ Hidalgo's house and museum

This beautiful old mansion was Miguel Hidalgo's residence during his Dolores days; The priest resided there until 1810 when it was still known as Casa del Diezmo . During the struggle for independence, it then passed through various factions.

In those years, as fate would have it, property was stripped of items that would have been incredibly valuable nowadays . However, it has never lost its charm that visitors can still experience today. It took a long time to restore the building , first by Benito Juárez, who declared the site a National Monument in 1863. In 1946 it was converted into a museum.

Among the items you can find are a priest's dress, glasses and a holy water dispenser that belonged to Father de la Patria (Hidalgo), as well as the skeletal remains of General Pedro García who fought against North American and French troops. took part in the War of Independence and guarded the museum until his death.

As you explore the nooks and crannies , we recommend enjoying the yellow and terracotta terrace lined with wooden benches with a fountain in the center. The vastness of this area allows you to feel at peace as you imagine days gone by when a group of rebels risked everything to become heroes.

➢ Bicentennial museum

This place has a collection of over 800 pieces indicating the first anniversary of independence , including portraits, photographs of buildings , music, weapons, and jewelry from that period. Learn about life during the porfiriato and life in Mexico and Guanajuato at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as customs and daily events in this shared five-room building. The memorable objects for the 100th birthday include the program that invites people to the celebration, the rich menu by Porfirio Díaz and even a conversation with the American scientist Thomas Alva Edison

which has been subtitled from English to Spanish.

Other objects on display include cigarette boxes, matches, knives, cutlery and a collection of more than a hundred photographs with images of the Industrial Revolution and post-revolutionary Mexico , which come from the Alhóndiga de Granaditas photo archive .

➢ José Alfredo Jiménez Museum

The home of this singer-songwriter from Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, has been converted into a museum that now houses memorabilia such as records, sombreros, charro suits and lyrics in his own handwriting . Open for a little over a decade, this museum offers you a visually narrated chronology of Mexican singer-songwriter life, spread across nine rooms, each named after one of its most representative songs .

In these rooms you can find out about aspects of his childhoodhow his studies were interrupted and how he became interested in music; his first appearances ; how he met his first wife, Paloma Gálvez, the undeniable muse for his most touching songs; his productive career appeared on monumental stages; and even his dramatic rise to success .

The last three rooms illustrate the ingenious decline that suffered from alcoholism and how this led to his untimely death. There is also a reminder of his last live performance and the rise of the legendwhose heartfelt lyrics and melancholy chords influenced the musical and cultural archives of Mexico and made him an idol.

➢ José Alfredo Jiménez grave

Behind the solid entrance, which has a small cross at the top , you can see a gate that leads to what is perhaps one of the most-visited urban cemeteries in the state. A row of white tombstones and small chapels line the path to a mausoleum that is unlike anything else you will see there. You will hear the sound of a mariachi approaching, letting you know that you have reached the grave of José Alfredo Jiménez.

A long, colorful serape in the shape of a snake leads to a huge charro sombrero, which is the eternal resting place of "El Rey"as he was also called, shaded. This site, which apparently is constantly visited by fans and travelers from all over the world, offers a tribute that will give you goosebumps.

Despite his successful life, José Alfredo remained humble; he therefore demanded that his resting place be nothing more than a simple tombstone, a request that was granted. However, the nation and his loved ones asked for a tribute to him in the form of a gift to him after his death that would also help visitors find their resting place. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his death, the striking mausoleum was installed, which you can visit today.



➢ Museo de la Independencia

Make sure to visit the Museo de la Independencia (Museum of Independence) on your way through Dolores Hidalgo . The site was a prison in the 18th century and it is here that revolutionaries who joined the struggle for independence led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla were deprived of their freedom.

It was Hidalgo himself who, after uttering the cry of independence, released all prisoners on Sunday morning, September 16. It wasn't until 1960 that the place became home to the Museo de Handicrafts (Museum of Handicrafts ), which was later converted into the Museo de la Independencia .

A tour of the museum takes you through seven rooms that tell the story of theBuilding and tell the key moments in the struggle for independence . You can also observe documents and historical objects that belonged to the revolutionaries who fought for freedom.