Guanajuato is a small mountain city north of the Federal District. This is a colorful town, rich in history. It is completely surrounded by mountains, making it accessible only through tunnels. Entering this town is very exciting. It's a bit like coming to
El Dorado; you approach the mountains, enter through the tunnels, and emerge into a beautiful hidden city.
There are very few roads in this city which are passable by cars. The hills are steep and some of the "roads" are no more than a meter wide. Navigating the city is at times tiring. You must climb stairs everywhere you go, and sometimes the stairs seem never ending.
Guanajuato has a very rich history. This city was the location of the first major uprisings during the Mexican war for independence from Spain. There is a famous story of
El Pipila, a man whose actions allowed the insurgents to overcome authorities in the city of Guanajuato. When the Spanish troops took refuge in the city's granary, the insurgents were unable to make headway in the battle. It is said that
El Pipila strapped a large flat stone to his back, which allowed him to approach the granary unscathed and set fire to its door. This allowed insurgents to enter and take over the building.
El Pipila is memorialized in an enormous statue overlooking the city.
This city has some wonderful architecture as well. The
Teatro Juarez is a wonderful place to meet with friends and chat, and the churches in the city are spectacular. Guanajuato is by far one of my favorite cities in Mexico.
