Guanajuato is a five hour coach journey north west of Mexico City and is an odd place. It was, and is, a silver mining town, so its location is decided by geology, not convenience. It is situated in a narrow valley and level ground is scarce. But, to compensate for putting it in an awkward place, mining gives it a three dimensional road network. Tunnels are everywhere. They cut through ridges, they dive through the centre of town. The one way system in the town centre is above ground, one way, below ground, the other way.
One of Guanajuato's tunnels
One of the main tunnels in the city centre follows the bed of the local river. This had been diverted from its usual path following disastrous flooding.
This was once the river!
Some may be mine workings brought back into useful service. Tunnel entrances appear everywhere.
The tunnel at the end of the street. I only noticed the armed men just now! I think they are some sort of police.
If you get in the wrong lane you are destined for the underworld!
Another tunnel entrance
Guanajuato is not a pretty town – it is too hard-working for that – but it has some impressive buildings. These were financed from the huge profits made by the exceedingly rich silver mines. Some of the money stayed in the town but much went back to Spain.
The Teatro Juarez in Guanajuato
You can get some idea of the current mining operations HERE.
The town site is very steep and houses are close packed.
Houses on the valley side, Guanajuato. Bright colours seem popular!
The narrow alleys are called callejon and some can be very narrow!
A callejon in Guanajuato
But life can be very pleasant in a shady cafe by the Jardin Union.
In the shade in the Jardin Union
We stayed on the edge of town in a casita in the garden of a larger house owned by an American couple who had returned to the husbands roots. We found it through VRBO which we have found invaluable for finding nice places to stay. We recommend it highly – we have not found a bad property yet!
Our casita in Guanajuato
After Guanajuato we returned to Mexico City then went on to Puebla. Of which, more anon.
Graeme's Blog 