History of Guadalajara
History of Mérida
History of Oaxaca
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
History of Guadalajara
History of Mérida
History of Oaxaca
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
A MINING CITY THAT PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT
Pre-Hispanic Era
In the municipality, there are ten archaeological sites, mostly from the Chupícuaro culture of the Preclassic period.
Regarding the Classic period, Teotihuacan artifacts and some Toltec influence have been found.
In the 13th century, groups of Chichimec nomads (Guamares and Guachichiles) arrived from the present-day state of San Luis Potosí, and they had complete control of the valley until the arrival of the Spaniards.
Colonial Era
The first armed Spanish presence in the future jurisdiction of León dates back to February 2, 1530, when Nuño de Guzmán and his Purépecha allies crossed the Lerma River at Conguripo, calling it "Río de Nuestra Señora" (River of Our Lady).
Colonization for agriculture and livestock began in 1546, with land grants given by the Governor of Nueva Galicia, Vázquez de Coronado, to the Spaniards Rodrigo de Vázquez and Juan de Jasso. The Chichimecs, feeling invaded, engaged in constant warfare against the Spanish. In response to this situation, the Spanish requested the colonial authorities to establish a larger settlement for better protection.
During the Colonial period, by the order of Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, the settlement of Guanajuato was founded under the name "Real de Minas de Guanajuato." Later, upon the arrival of Perafán de Rivera, the first mayor of the municipality, it was renamed "Santa Fe Real de Minas de Guanajuato," and it was designated as a major jurisdiction in 1574.
In 1671, due to the insufficiency of the Hospitals Temple, the miners contributed funds to build a new parish temple, now known as the Basilica, which was completed in 1696.
History of Guanajuato
War of Independence & the 19th Century
On September 28, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo sent an intimidating letter from Hacienda de Burras to the intendant of Guanajuato, Juan Antonio de Riaño y Bárcena, demanding the surrender of the city. As his request was denied, Hidalgo decided to conquer it by force, resulting in the first battle of the insurgency popularly known as "La Toma de la Alhóndiga de Granaditas." During this battle, El Pípila, carrying a stone on his back, set fire to the main door of the granary.
On November 24, 1810, instigated by a mysterious figure, the people of Guanajuato killed the Spanish and Creole prisoners opposed to Independence, who were held in the Alhóndiga de Granaditas. This action enraged Calleja, who ordered the arrest of the insurgents' sympathizers while retaking the city of Guanajuato. The detention ended with the execution of Rafael Dávalos and the hanging of Casimiro Chowell and Ramón Fabié.
In 1821, military leaders Luis de Cortazar and Anastasio Bustamante adhered to the Plan of Iguala, and on March 24, they occupied the city of Guanajuato. A few months later, on July 8, the independence of Mexico was sworn throughout the province of Guanajuato.
With the promulgation of the first Constitution of the Republic, Guanajuato became the capital city of the Free and Sovereign State of Guanajuato.
In 1846, the territory of the former mining district of La Luz was segregated from Guanajuato to become an independent municipality, which lasted until 1929.
On January 19, 1858, the city of Guanajuato was provisionally declared the capital of the Republic by President Benito Juárez García, during his stay there, which lasted until February 13 of the same year.
On September 18, 1864, Carlota and Maximilian arrived in the city and stayed there for eight days, lodging at the Convent of La Merced. Among the decisions taken was the release of some prisoners with minor sentences and the transfer of other detainees from the places that served as prisons at that time, namely the basement of the Government Palace and the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, which became a prison for men and women until 1949.
Porfirio Díaz Era and Revolution
In 1903, the city of Guanajuato received President General Porfirio Díaz, who inaugurated the Juárez Theater, the Esperanza Dam, the Monument to Peace, the monument to Hidalgo in "Las Acacias" park, and the Palacio de los Poderes Legislativo y Ejecutivo.
On February 18, 1916, the newly appointed President Venustiano Carranza visited the city and provided assistance for the purchase of corn to alleviate famine.
Modern Era
Once the country was consolidated, Guanajuato has become a cultural enclave with a rich history and beautiful historical monuments to offer its visitors.
UNDERGROUND STREETS, SMALL SQUARES, AND LABYRINTHINE ALLEYWAYS
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