Semana Santa in San Miguel de Allende. Please join me for six days during Holy Week which is such a colorful time of year. Full
of pageantry, processions, decorated churches, homes and fountains, just a special
time to be in this 500 year old colonial town to witness the spirit of
the people as they partake in celebrating Semana Santa.
Arriving on Friday, early evening, we will have dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and then tour the historic center of town to view the town's fountains that have been decorated and the public and private altars that have been beautifully created in celebration of Our Lady of Sorrows (Viernas de Dolores), a time of paying homage to the anguish of the Virgin Mary. The above is the plaza in front of the Parroquia, the parish church right off the main square, the jardin.
One of the many house that have opened their doors for the passerby who is invited in and welcomed with small gifts of candy, nuts, fruit and drink.
The next day I will lead you on a walking tour of town where we will stroll by some of the town's old and elegant homes,
visit some magnificent churches,
All within the historic center of town.
Especially the Parroquia.
A panoramic view of part of the jardin.
A stop in the Bellas Artes, an old mansion that was originally a convent that is presently one of the art schools in town.
One of the many murals at the Bellas Artes.
This mural, The Vampire Bat, by
Pedro Martinez depicts the Chupacabra. OK, what's a chupacabra? It
means "goatsucker" and it attacks livestock and makes incisions into its
victim's bodies like a vampire. It's like the "Lock Ness" monster in
Scotland and "Sasquatch" in North America.
One of the many quaint streets in San Miguel.
Palm Sunday is a morning of processions.
A procession through town of Jesus riding a donkey that ends at the Parroquia.
Around the jardin, you will find artisans selling their elaborately hand-woven palm fronds in the shapes of crosses, fish and other designs.
The creativity is just amazing.
Outside of San Miguel we will visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco.
Often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas because of its ancient and wonderful frescoes.
Not too far away, in the countryside, we will have a leisurely comida (lunch),
on the patio, unbelievable Italian cuisine where one of the house specialties is hand-made squash blossom ravioli.
On Monday we will meet up with Chef Paco for a cooking class. Originally from Mexico City, Paco has lived in San Miguel for 20 years where he owns and operates the finest bakery-patisserie in town, El Petit Four. It all starts with a tour of the colorful Ignacio Ramirez Negromante market where everything we need is being sold by the local farmers who grow it.
Then we head
for Paco’s home. This is a hands-on class where every person will help
prepare everything from scratch. After our kitchen work, we will sit
down, relax and enjoy the lunch we have prepared in the gorgeous setting
of Paco’s home with an incredible view of San Miguel.
One day we will take a day trip to Guanajuato,
a famous university town and once the richest city in the world due to its silver mining.
First stop is the studio of world-famous ceramicist Gorky Gonzales.
A tour of the beautiful opera house and after we will visit Diego Rivera's birthplace and museum. Comida at Las Mercedes, a gourmet family run restaurant. After we will visit the incredible Valencia Church with its gold-encrusted altar. Return to San Miguel via Dolores Hidalgo where virtually everyone is employed in making beautiful ceramics. Back in San Miguel just in time to witness the Our Lord of the Column carried in procession, amid flowers and incense, from the San Juan de Dios Church to the jardin.
On Holy Wednesday, Procession de Miercoloes Santo, you will have a free day to wander around town by yourself, sight see...
Time to shop at one of the many lovely boutiques. Los Baules, known for its one of kind, natural-dyed and hand woven textiles from ponchos, dresses (huipiles), table runners, etc..
Check out La Esquina, the Children's Folk Art Museum.
One of the best things to do in San Miguel is to visit La Esquina. The collection is housed in an old three-story
home that has been meticulously restored and is maintained beautifully.
Over one thousand Mexican toys have been collected by Angelico Tijerina
over the course of fifty years.
Hike the Botanic Gardens, Jardin Botanico - El Charco del Igenio, just outside of town with 247 acres of natural preserve, hiking trails and an incredible view of town
with extensive cactus gardens and a cactus collection within this contemporary greenhouse.
On this Holy Wednesday, there are fourteen stations of the cross that are elaborately decorated just a few blocks from our B and B.
One of the stations of the cross.
With a procession starting early evening.
There is plenty to do and before you know it, it will be time to meet up at the B and B when I take you out for dinner on our final night in town.
It is an
extremely popular time in San Miguel and the charming B and B in which
we stay at only has nine rooms. The sooner I can book this, the better, so I can secure our rooms.
If you would like to join me, please email me your contact information (name, email, mailing address and phone number) and I will send you a detailed itinerary with pricing, along with a deposit request and plane information.
It's a special time to experience San Miguel de Allende, its culture and people.
Semana Santa in San Miguel de Allende
April 12 - 18, 2019.
Robin Mullen
robindsg@aol.com
