San Miguel Allende Sites and Attractions

Sites and Attractions

Central Plaza / Plaza Principal Sur (El Jardin)

Overlooked by the towering pink spires of the Parroquia de San Miguel, the Central Plaza entices locals and visitors alike to rest amongst it's sculptured garden. The plaza's shaded park benches attract almost all who walk past, and most are content to remain temporarily hypnotized by the comings and goings pulsating through San Miguel's heart.

The walkways and streets around the plaza are littered with cafes, restaurants, boutiques and galleries. If facing the Parroquia de San Miguel and turning to your right you will find the statue of the monk Juan de San Miguel, founder and namesake of the small city. The Museum and former house of revolutionary hero San Ignacio Allende also lies on the corner in this direction along with the dark pink stoned house of Conde Canal proudly occupying the other corner of the plaza.

Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

San Miguel's famous landmark, the parish church or La Parroquia as referred to locally, stands tall and proud just of the Central Plaza. It delicately frames the centre of San Miguel with crafted pink stone highlighted by the sun during daytime hours and at night the pink tones appear to be radiating due to clever lighting.

The untrained architect, Zeferino Gutiérrez, is said to have created it from images of European postcards, first sketching designs in sand before applying them to paper. A Neo-Gothic tower spires from a neoclassical church in a design that would anger architectural purist if not for the way the church holds itself majestically amongst surrounding colonial buildings.

Allende House Museum / Museo Casa de Allende

The former residents and birthplace of revolutionary leader Ignacio Allende now acts as a museum outlining the role San Miguel, along with Allende, played in the 1810 Mexican revolution. Pre-Columbian exhibits are also present and the inner detailing of the colonial mansion itself is worth entering for. Exhibits are in Spanish only.

House of Conde Canal / Casa de Canal

On the Canal Street side of this neoclassical gem, you will find giant carved wooden doors with baroque detailing. The building now primarily serves as Banamex bank branch, though sometimes the rest of the house is opened up to the public for temporary exhibitions.

Fine Arts Cultural Centre / Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez (Bella Artes)

Residing in a former 18th century convert, this busy cultural centre and branch of the Palacio de Bellas artes of Mexico City, hosts a variety of art exhibits, concerts, and theatre productions. A notice board will indicate what events are on at the centre and around town. It is also well known as a school offering classes in painting, ceramics, theatre and dance. It is free to wander in and walk around the inner courtyard where you will find art exhibitions centered by a large fountain. There is also a unfinished mural by David Alfaro Siqueros depicting events surrounding Ignacio Allende.

Angela Peralta Theatre

Public Libary / Biblioteca Publica

The San Miguel public library has many titles in English which can be perused within a beautiful reading room or tranquil colonial courtyard and café. The library is a good place to head if you wish to find out what's going on around town from the bilingual staff and also to pick up the weekly edition of Atención San Miguel, an English language publication. This is also the starting point for the famed Sunday House and Garden Tours.

Church of San Felipe Neri / El Oratorio de San Felipe Neri

An early 18th century pink stone church with baroque façade. Before converting into a Catholic church it was said to have been an Indigenous chapel. According to legend, over 250 years ago, when it was proposed to convert the chapel into the church we see today, the Indian population rejected the idea in writing. When the parchment was opened to reveal their objections the writing mysteriously had disappeared and the miracle lead to the building of a new church. Indigenous themes can be seen sculptured into the façade. Displayed inside are 33 oil paintings depicting the life of the 16th century founder of the Oratorio order, San Felipe Neri.

Plaza Cívica

The plaza attracts many strollers around the green hedges and statue of General Ignacio Allende. The statue features Allende upon a horse wielding a sword; it is said that this honors the moment when Allende rode unto the square to offer protection Spanish locals from a hostile crowd during the revolution. The Spanish were said to have barricaded themselves inside the College of Sales / Colegio de Sales adjacent to the statue. Many of the revolutionary leaders were said to be educated in this former college. Next to the college stands the Church of Our Lady of Health / Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, its baroque façade contrasts with neighboring whitewashed walls.

Church of San Franciso / Iglesia de San Francisco

Confusion exists as to what style of facade this church bares; some say it is baroque, others say Rococo, while a more general consensus is that it is classic late-18th century Churrigueresque. At its apex sits an image of San Francis of Assisi.

The Lookout/ El Mirador

Make the effort to walk to the southwest of the town. The Lookout is up the hill on Vargas street and opposite is a small market. Your reward for the short trek is a view of San Miguel surrounded by houses built on slight hills which cascade into the centre plaza.