Sunday, 9 March 2014

We set off this morning to explore some of the underground roadways. We took the entrance near our hotel on Calle de Alonso. This led to a two-lane road with bus stops and intersections. We wandered along taking video and photographs until we found another exit.

Taking this exit, we finished up in the Jardin and took the opportunity to visit the Iglesia de San Diego church and follow this with a visit to the Teatro Juarez which was completed in 1903. It is an example of eclecticism which was popular at that time. In some areas it follows a Roman Doric theme and in others, an Arabian theme. The hall follows the European model with four tiers and is decorated in an Oriental style. With its mix of Architecture, it is well worth a visit as it stands close the Union Gardens in the heart of Guanajuato.  Behind the theater is the Funicular railway which takes you to the Pípila monument. It is only a short ride up the hillside but well worth taking it for the views over the town.

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Returning on the Funicular we walked through the Jardin and ended up at the Plaza de La Paz and the Hotel la Casona de Don Lucas where we stopped for coffee. The next stop was the 17^th century Parroquia de Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato where a Sunday service was in progress. Afterward, we continued to wander through the many small streets, stopping for coffees in a small café and then in the Plaza de Los Angeles. Afterwards, we went to the Alhóndiga de Granaditas and went inside to take a closer look at the interior.

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Our two and a half days in Guanajuato were filled with walking, eating, visiting many of the churches, museums, and historical sites. Our legs certainly got a workout from the many hills and sets of steps we walked up but it was certainly well worth the visit. It is a quite photogenic, unusual, and an interesting town, unlike many other places we have been in Mexico. We would certainly like to return here someday.