Guanajuato is a colorful mountain colonial town, founded by the Spaniards in the early 16th century and located in central Mexico. Its name originates from the word Quanax-juato which, in the indigenous dialect of the region, meant "Place of Frogs".
Guanajuato was the result of miner camping sites after silver veins were discovered between 1540 and 1558 and that eventually lead to a larger settlement. The rich history of the city is reflected in both its traditional buildings and subterranean streets. The historic center accommodates private residences, colonial area mansions and historical churches built with pink or green sandstone. Even though a variety of architecture styles can be found in this part of central Mexico, the predominant ones are Baroque and Neoclassical. The buildings are constructed on slopes, with each one painted in a different color.
The Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato was built from 1671 to 1696. Inside this church there is a 1000 year old statue donated by Spanish King Charles I who tried to protect it from the arab invasion in Spain.
To navigate the city, you have to go on foot because the surface is literally a labyrinth of narrow and winding streets. Most of them can not be accessed by car, especially the ones made up of natural stairs which climb the mountain. There are dozens of plazas and plazuelas in the center of Guanajuato, lending it even more of a distinctive European flavor unlike that of perhaps any other Mexican city.
The main street follows the original course of the Guanajuato River, running beneath the city for almost 3 kilometers. Other fascinating tunnels are: El Barretero, La Galerena, El Minero, Tunel Noroeste Ponciano Aguilar, Tunel de los Angeles, Santa Fe, Miguer Hidalgo and Tamazuca.
The historic town of Guanajuato and adjacent mines were granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1987.
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