Some of the most important events in Mexican history took place in stunning architectural settings.
Founded as “San Miguel” in 1542 by a Franciscan monk named Fray Juan de San Miguel, it later became a centerpiece in the war for Mexican independence from Spain; it was renamed after Ignacio Allende, a hero of the independence movement in 1826. San Miguel de Allende is a small colonial town in the Bajio region of central Mexico, about 170 miles northwest of Mexico City and is famous worldwide for its mild climate, thermal springs and colonial architecture. The town was declared a national monument in 1926 and building became heavily restricted in the town’s historic Centro district, allowing the city to keep its charm and colorful native facades. It’s a tourist destination, artist colony and retirement community for a few thousand foreigners consisting mostly of Americans, Canadians, Europeans and Mexicans who have rediscovered San Miguel de Allende as a Malibu-like retreat from Mexico City.
The law requires that newer buildings conform with existing architecture, and the town has gone to some lengths to retain its picturesque arched colonial mansions, flower-filled patios, and winding cobblestone streets. This town has no traffic lights and for that matter, no neon signs at all. It is a friendly, quiet town that is remarkably comfortable for the traveler and expatriate, It has a rhythm of its own, not to mention it’s incredible weather…