Querétaro, Mexico

2015-04-30T09:43:00.006-05:00

Querétaro is one of 31 states, along with the Federal District of Mexico, which comprises the 32 states of Mexico. Querétaro in central Mexico, a region known as "El Bajio". Its capital is the city of Santiago de Querétaro (located about 200km northwest of Mexico City), it is still widespread use of Querétaro to name both the state and the capital city.

Querétaro is bordered to the North with the state of San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato to the west, the east by Hidalgo, Mexico to the southeast and southwest with Michoacan

Querétaro is a state full of historical sites and has experiences a huge growth of industrial and business development. Contains several sites declared World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1996.

Brief History of Querétaro, Mexico

Origins of the Name

Querétaro's name comes from the Purépecha word K'erhiretarhu (K'eri = big people Rhu IRET = = place) or K'erendarhu (k'erenda = rock and Rhu = place) means that instead of large rocks or boulders. These place names were referred to the city of Queretaro, the state took the name of the capital city. Another version says the name comes Otomí with the meaning "island of the blue salamanders" or, in a Purepecha translated as "place of reptiles." The area of the Glen, east of Santiago de Queretaro, appears as collusium that may have long been used by indigenous people for the annual hunt of the salamander.

Pre-Hispanic times

The territory now occupied by the State of Querétaro was once inhabited by Otomíes and Purepecha (Tarascans), the latter being dominant. There was also a small presence of nomadic tribes called Chichimecas (Pamesa and jonaces). There are some archeological sites dating from this period as "El Cerrito" in Corregidora and sites Toluquilla and Las Ranas in the Sierra Gorda.

Spanish Era

The Spaniards arrived arround the date of 1528. Hernán Pérez Bocanegra y Córdoba allied with the indigenous Otomi named Conin, chieftain of Jilotepec to conquer new territories peacefully. In 1531 the city of Queretaro was planned by Juan Sánchez de Alaniz and Conin, who at this time was known by his Castilian name: Don Fernando de Tapia.

In the second half of the sixteenth century stands the convent of San Francisco, the first religious building in the city under the direction and patronage of Don Fernando de Tapia. In 1655 he was awarded the title of title of Viceroy by the Duke of Alburquerque. From that time one the city was known as Santiago de Querétaro.

In 1712 Querétaro earned the title of "Noble and Loyal City of Querétaro" by King Philip V of Spain. In 1726 starts the construction of the aqueduct, 80% paid by Don Juan Antonio de Urrutia and Arana, Marques de la Villa del Villar del Aguila. This aqueduct, one of the most important buildings, is now a symbol of the city of Queretaro.

In 1731 starts the construction of the church and convent of San Agustín, built by the baroque Noveu Hispanic and ends in 1743.

In 1735 opened the cistern, which was the primary source of the city in 1738 and reach the water to the various public batteries scattered around the city.

In 1752 the temple was dedicated at the College of Santa Rosa de Viterbo, baroque monuments.

In 1763 was founded the Oratorio San Felipe Neri today Queretaro Cathedral, the church was dedicated in 1805.

In 1772 the teacher dies of organ and architect Mariano de las Casas.

In 1778 was the secularization of the parish of San Sebastian.

In 1797 Debut the Fountain of Neptune, designed and built by the architect Francisco Eduardo Tresguerres and sculpture by John Izguerra.

In 1805 was inaugurated the Academy of Fine Arts.

In 1807 the temple was completed and convent Teresitas. Manuel Tolsa designed ups but not used. Ortiz worked in the work of Castro and the decor Tresguerres.

Independence of Mexico

In September 1810 Querétaro became the birthplace of the movement of Independence. On the 13th Epigmenio González was taken prisoner , bearing an arsenal of weapons to the insurgency. On the 15th Queretaro's Corregidor Don Miguel Dominguez and his wife, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez were detained . She manages to send a message to the Sr. Hidalgo and Sr. Allende, who started the War of Independence of Mexico.

On October 4, 1824 establishing the Federal Republic in Mexico, the Constitution includes Querétaro State of the Federation.

In 1847 Querétaro was named capital of Mexico when it was invaded by U.S. forces.

On May 30, 1848 in Queretaro signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the war with Mexico, where United States lost half of its northern territory.

In 1867 two battles were fought between the Republican and the Imperial army at the Cerro de las Campanas in Santiago de Querétaro. Maximilian of Habsburg is captured, tried and sentenced to be executed on June 19 at the Cerro de las Campanas along with Mexican generals Tomás Mejía and Miguel Miramón.

In 1886 the station was opened queretana Central Railroad, built with pink quarry and wood, the style of the U.S. stations at that time.

20th Century

On February 5, 1917, Congress proclaimed the Constitution of the United States of the Mexican Republic in the Teatro de la Ciudad in Santiago de Querétaro.

On May 15 of 1967 inaugurated a monument to Benito Juárez in the Cerro de las Campanas by President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.

In 1985 the stadium Corregidora Queretaro was built for the World Cup 1986.

On July 25, 1985 inaugurated the Auditorium Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, the design was done by Architect Luis Alfonso Fernández Siurob.

In 1987, hosts the Miss Mexico beauty contest held in the auditorium Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, where the winner was the poblana Amanda Beatriz Olivares Phillips, who a year later would win second place in the Miss Universe contest held in 1988 Taipei China.

On February 5, 1989 the park was opened in Alcanfores by President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

On February 5, 1991 opened the ecological park "Querétaro 2000.

In 1993 passed by the State Government of Cerro Cimatario considered National Park. Querétaro is the sub-Miss Universe 1993.

In 1994 she inaugurated the new bus from the city of Queretaro.

21st Century

In November 2004, inaugurated the International Airport of Queretaro and the Real Estate Queretaro, Mexico is getting to be in high demand.

In March 2008 the legislature approved the new constitution of the state, in the state it is reduced to only Querétaro Arteaga Querétaro.

French courses for Kids and Teens - Immersion camps for teens 9 - 17 years old on the French Riviera, in Provence and on the Atlantic Coast.

Uk Airport Parking - Online translator

Spanish Courses in Spain - Intensive Spanish programs with excellent facilities and activities

San Juan del Rio

2009-04-30T15:46:00.002-05:00

San Juan del Rio is a city south of the State of Queretaro, Mexico. Is head of the municipality of San Juan del Rio and the second largest city in economic and political status.
History

The current municipality of San Juan River was inhabited since the year 400 BCE as evidenced by the remains found at the edge of the river indicate that the remote settlement of groups of Chupícuaro Otomíes descent, who were engaged in fishing, hunting and gathering fruit.

Otomí culture is considered by investigators as one of the oldest cultures of the highlands. The Otomi, having discovered corn, beans, pumpkins and maguey, were grouped in the region around the hill Techimacit (today Barrio de la Cruz), by the creek that forms the river bed, built their houses forming the village called Iztacchichi-Mecapan meaning white earth Chichimecas whose chief was Mexici.

Don Nicolás de San Luis Mountain, Captain General of entries, led a vast army of people Xilotepec; coming to this place on the morning of June 24 of year 1531, the day of San Juan Bautista, to found a new village, "Village San Juan River, in the name of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, was formed ", and according to the natives and their chief had the task of drawing the first street.

This was the beginning of the colonization of North and West of the New Spain. Thus, San Juan del Rio became obligatory passage for those traveling north and west of the territory of Mexico, which helped him to an important fact that all the caravans stopped here to rest and stock up on supplies; leading and bringing necessary for development of mining, agriculture and livestock in the region. This, in turn, led to the economic and social development in the area.

In the mid-sixteenth century, Blessed Fray Sebastián de Aparicio promoted the construction of a bridge at the narrowest part of the river due to the increasing difficult for the passage of caravans. However, it was until the early seventeenth century by order of the viceroy that Don Diego de Velasco was built until 1711 that work and the great bridge was built is now known as the Story Bridge.

During the War of Independence, San Juan River was an important stage for the national cause of the insurgency since it started here in front of the Imperial Army of the Three Guarantees and with the assistance of General Guadalupe Victoria, Anastasio Bustamante and General José Luis Quintanar, among others, taking the place of Querétaro. On June 29, 1821, Agustin de Iturbide in Querétaro issued a statement expressing the proper conclusion of the War of Independence.

On November 29, 1821 in the Plaza de San Juan Bautista was a popular and civic ceremony to proclaim and swear National Independence. On September 27, 1821 the rebel army made its triumphal entry to the city of Mexico.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the estates were a major factor of economic and social development of San Juan del Rio. The most important were: Lira (now belonging to the municipality of Pedro Escobedo), The Key and Galindo.

On October 5, 1830 and as a result of its remarkable economic and social development, the State gave to the San Juan River as Villa.

For 1847, on April 3 and in the context of the war between Mexico and the United States, the state government gave the then District of San Juan del Rio City title.

By 1855, industry and trade were a major impetus. Among the most important companies and establishments of the period include: barbers, carpenters, fireworks manufacturing, tanneries, breweries, blacksmiths, mill wheat pailas of soap, cotton sugar mills, bakeries, silver, paint shops, tailors, hat , saddlery, weaving and wool blanket, rebozos shops, shoe shops and Fusteria.

Similarly, in this period, the urban development of San Juan del Rio is characterized by the construction and expansion of churches, bridges, streets and houses.

In 1863, Benito Juárez, in their flight to San Luis Potosi, spent in San Juan del Rio, and in 1867, Maximilian of Hapsburg launched in this city one of his latest proclamations, which urged people to defend the "independence and internal order "of the country. Later, in the Cerro de las Campanas de la Ciudad de Querétaro was shot along with the general Miramon and Mejia.

In the last decade of the nineteenth century San Juan del Rio development participated in laying the railway track and the Mexican National Railway, years later, settling in this city the "round house" for the repair of steam engines.

In 1929, San Juan del Rio acquired the status of municipality.

During the period 1960-1970, San Juan del Rio began its urban transformation, economic and social consequence of the strong momentum to the industrialization process, trade and communications; factors that have placed at present in this town as the second largest in the state Queretaro.

Tequisquiapan

2009-04-30T15:34:00.003-05:00

Tequisquiapan is a city in south-central Mexican state of Querétaro. It is famous for its thermal hotsprings, and for being the center of a wine and cheese area. The city serves as municipal seat of town around the same name. In the 2005 census, the city had a population of 26,858 inhabitants, the fourth largest community in the state of the population, while the municipality had a population of 54,929. The municipality has an area of 343.6 km ² (132.66 square miles) and includes many smaller communities, the largest of which are in San Nicolas and La Fuente.

Tequisquiapan, famous for its spas with thermal waters, becoming a popular tourist center of Mexico City and Queretaro residents, as well as a holiday destination for many Europeans. Its mild climate and colonial winding streets make it ideal for leisure trips. In the center of town is the Plaza Miguel Hidalgo, dominated by a 19th century wrought iron flag and surrounded by stone arches. At one extreme is the parish church of St. Mary of the Assumption, with its neoclassical facade, completed in mid-19th century. Spanish missionaries said that the mass of the first city in the giant mesquite tree next to it.

A patchwork of small, irregular, interlocking stone blocks pave Tequisquiapan of narrow streets leading to the central plaza, the Civic Plaza. Traffic is closed a block or two from it creating a pedestrian zone. Scattered throughout the city are several hotels with their own springs. A few meters from the many shops surrounding the Plaza de Tequisquiapan is a marketplace where visitors can admire and buy locally produced wicker and rush.

At the gateway to the Sierra Gorda, the increase is the peak of San Bernal, a gigantic monolith of 350 meters in height, the third highest in the world after the Rock of Gibraltar and Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro. This rock is said that the city's inhabitants a long life, the average life expectancy of Bernal residents is said to be a staggering 94.7 years.

History

Before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the area now occupied by what is now the town of Tequisquiapan is commonly known as "Tequesquiatlapan" which means "river of water carbontated. Today, a tourist town Tequisquiapan is a weekend retreat for hundreds of residents of Mexico City who come to its air and sparkling crystal waters.

For much of the prehistoric period, the valley of Tequisquiapan was more than a village. The great Chichimecas Nahua and chieftains acknowledged the importance of place.

According to the local chronicler Landaverde Jesus Chavez, the lords of Jilotepec visited the natural springs and sources of Tequisquiapan only in very special occasions. Upon arrival, take a dip in the hot springs of one of their many sources, over which they deal with affairs of state and to resolve disputes among themselves mild.

The first Spanish settlements in the valley date from the 16th century, when Don Luis de Velazco, then viceroy of New Spain, Alonso de Estrada admitted and Lope de Sosa, the rights to the valley to raise cattle and maintain the stables. In the process of building the Finance Tequisquiapan in 1596, went to former residents across the river.

Culture

Tequisquiapan is especially known for its wines and cheeses, two entirely "new" foods that first appeared in the Americas with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in 1521. It was during colonial Mexico, in what is now the State of Queretaro, the planting of vines and wine culture was first attempted and eventually took over. The Spanish conquistadors also brought cows, sheep and goats to the New World in 1492. During the first weeks of May, the vineyards of the area gather in the central square for the Festival of Cheese and Wine. Consisting of three days of wine and cheese tasting. This festival attracts many tourists every season.

Spanish School in Querétaro

2009-04-30T15:05:00.002-05:00

Querétaro is home to one of the top Spanish schools in Mexico. The Querétaro Language School.

Located in a charming building in the heart of historic Querétaro, participants are just minutes away from all points of interest within this beautiful city. Over the years the Spanish language school has taught Spanish to people from all over the world. The feedback from these individuals regarding have been excellent.

In order to meet the diverse learning needs of their clients, the Spanish language school has designed 13 practical and dynamic Spanish language programs. The school accepts students of all ages and all levels of Spanish language proficiency. As with most of our programs in Latin America, classes at the Spanish language school start every Monday of the year unless a holiday falls on that day. Students can study for a period as short as a week up to a period of months. In addition to their excellent Spanish language programs, the Spanish language school offers a wide variety of cultural and extracurricular activities in order to facilitate the immersion with the Spanish language and Mexican culture and society.

Most of the teachers have studied at the university and they all have several years of experience in teaching Spanish. Furthermore, teachers receive in house training to assure a high quality language course adapted towards your needs. All of the Spanish teachers are Mexican but with knowledge in the English language, thus ensuring that communicating with you will be no problem.

Besides offering excellent Spanish language programs, the Spanish language school also offers (and or assists in arranging) a variety of interesting cultural activities and weekend excursions allowing student the chance to really get to know this part of Mexico.

As with many of our other schools, the Spanish language school not only provides general Spanish language study, but can also provide specialized language instruction.

Why Spanish Immersion In Querétaro?

Querétaro is one of the most charming and beautiful colonial cities found in Mexico.
The city is world renowned for its excellent weather, impressive history, and rich culture.
Querétaro is a great jumping off point for sites of interest in the state of Querétaro and the rest of central Mexico. This region of Mexico has quite a few other interesting colonial cities such as Guanajuato, Morelia and San Miguel de Allende.
The city has a wonderful small town feel to it despite its larger size.
Querétaro is world renowned for the quality of arts and crafts produced by the local artisans.
Querétaro has an abundance of bars, restaurants, shops, and discos, enough to satisfy any taste.
Getting to and from Querétaro is very easy. The city is only 124 miles north of Mexico City.
This region of Mexico is famous for the festivals and culture of the local inhabitants.
Nearby Querétaro there are many natural attractions ranging from beaches, mountains and hot springs.

For more information see their homepage at : http://www.queretarolanguageschool.com

Sierra Gorda - Biosphere Reserve

2009-04-30T15:02:00.000-05:00

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve emerged from a presidential decree granted on May 19, 1997 with the purpose of protecting the Reserve’s exceptional richness of species and ecosystems. The Reserve is managed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and is located in the northern part of the state of Querétaro between 20° 50´ and 21° 45´ latitude north and 98° 50´and 100° 10´ longitude west.

Five XVIII century Franciscan missions were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2003 and are located within the beautiful natural environment of the Sierra Gorda Biopshere Reserve which is a member of the Man and Biosphere Programme of UNESCO since 2001.

The Biosphere Reserve covers 383,567 hectares of the state of Querétaro, representing 32 percent of the state’s territory. The Reserve contains 11 core protected areas that cover 24,803 hectares and a buffer zone with 358,764 hectares. The Reserve contains all of the municipalities of Jalpan de Serra, Arroyo Seco, and Landa de Matamoros, as well as 88 percent of Pinal de Amoles and 70 percent of Peñamiller. The Reserve has approximately 100,000 citizens living in 638 localities.

The principal biological characteristic of the Sierra Gorda is eco-diversity. It is unique for its large number of distinct ecosystems with high diversity of life forms. For biodiversity, it is one of the most richest, best-conserved and diverse sectors of the state of Querétaro, and stands out for its level of conservation in comparison with neighboring regions and states.

Among all the natural protected areas in Mexico, the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve occupies first place for its eco-diversity due to its geographic position at the meeting point of the Nearctic and Neotropical bioregions. The Reserve presents great physiographic complexity, with altitudes ranging from 300 meters above sea level in the canyon of the Santa María River in the municipality of Jalpan de Serra to 3,100 meters above sea level at the summit of the Cerro de la Pingüica, found in the municipality of Pinal de Amoles.

This physiological complexity, combined with a heterogeneous precipitation pattern, ranging from 350 to 2,000 mm per year, generates numerous climate variations. The strong variation in rain patterns is a result of rain shadows created by the mountain ranges of the Sierra Gorda.

The Sierra Gorda belongs to the Pánuco River basin via the Santa María and Moctezuma rivers, which in turn are fed by the Escanela, Tancuilín, Extoraz, Ayutla and Concá rivers.

Franciscan Missions

2009-04-30T14:13:00.002-05:00

In their own names and warns the notable feature of this baroque dyed indigenous: Santiago de Jalpan, Our Lady of Light Tancoyotl, San Miguel Conca, Santa Maria del Agua de Landa and San Francisco del Valle de TILAC.

This beautiful, long barrier region, was a kind of natural shelter for the humans who lived here: Lakers, jonaces, guachichiles, all known under the generic name of Chichimecas. And in some ways, this imposing geography imposed its conditions on the story Colonial. The five Franciscan missions herein are unique both for its history and its architectural creation, which is unusual baroque as the consummation of miscegenation, a project built by the hands and imagination freely Indians. A true encounter. The missions are also a crystallization of a great humanist aspiration led by Fray Junipero Serra, the missionary of Majorcan origin who tried to be as radical as his spiritual father St. Francis of Assisi, and otherwise delayed, and let us say, desperate Advanced military led by Jose de Escandon.

Consider a fact that hurt the pride we assume Spanish, until 1740 the Viceroyalty had failed to "pacify" the cross and the sword to the people of this region. A nation of nations conquered and placed under 200 years ago by the power of the Spanish crown, and yet a small area close to the viceregal capital still remained indomitable. "What a shame!" Have some powerful thought, so Escandón undertaken in 1742, the siege on all rebel groups in the Sierra Gorda, which is why the rage that begins in 1748 with the latest offensive, the Battle of ominous Crescent, where the brutal epilogue captain exterminates almost all of these groups.

Amid these circumstances, reaching in 1750 the town of Jalpan, a group of Franciscan missionaries headed by Fray Junipero Serra. Its mission, to evangelize the Indians and completed the cross and the word tasks initiated by Escandón with weapons. But Fray Junipero worthy heir to the poor of Assisi, brought a very different mission, and in total opposition to the ideas promoted by the captain in the missions previously founded. Along with the notions of poverty and communion, in their own deep sense of San Francisco, Fray Junipero charged with utopian ideals of the best European humanism of the time. The climate of increasing violence and hostility and mistrust that had to be received by the various indigenous groups, Junípero opposed a strong missionary who was the support and understanding of social problems in their hunger for knowledge and language. As we noted anthropologist Diego Prieto, Junípero cooperatives founded and supported and strengthened their capacities for organization and production, led to the division of land and not only imposed the Castilian no time to evangelize, but did his work in theoretical language PAME. It is therefore a task of large scale and mission profound consequences in terms of human and whose results are visible today in the syncretism baroque harmonic and displaying this unique set of missions.

The baroque

At present, speaking of the Missions of Sierra Gorda, the first thing one thinks is in the five buildings, the five temples. There are, we should see them, you have to stop and contemplate a little more, the five beautiful missions. But as you noticed are the result of a rich and complex historical process of mutual evangelization, as something else. What we see today in every one of them, each altarpiece, is the product of that deep encounter between two groups of human nature is radically different. The conception of the world, religion, the notion of faith, the deities, animals and the light, color and complexion of the bodies and faces, food, sex, everything was so different between the friars who brought to Europe and the Indians who were in their land, but had been confined, robbed and subjugation. Something yet joined one of those strange moments or rather marginal in the stories of conquering a civilization to another: respect, recognition of the difference. It was brewing a utopia, a small group of Europeans to recognize the other, until the root injured in their dignity by their European peers themselves.

Beauty

Thus, the missions that today we are amazed by its singularbelleza, but this is the manifestation plastic, architectural, of that encounter, then human solar irradiation, where the temple was the home of a whole people, the core a series of activities that started from here or there to lead. That was the mission at that time, not the building but the vision of things, the eyes reflected in the temple, the new order I guess looking with amazement and difficult tasks that might be farmland, mutual aid, of strong defense against injustice, evangelizing.

So perhaps this is so admirable architectural mix, this baroque unparalleled, facade-retable because each is just that, a vision, a mise en scene at the time of contact and communion, yes, but where it was also, and Exceptionally, the difference. PAME Conca is a word that means "me", but that the mission also carries the name of San Miguel, San Miguel Arcángel there is crowning the facade and one side of a rabbit that has no Christian symbols but PAME. There is the Virgen del Pilar and the Virgin of Guadalupe Mission in Jalpan, we all know has deep roots Mesoamerican, and a two-headed eagle mixing meanings. There is the rich ornamental plant and the profusion of ears in Tancoyotl; Catholic saints or Lan Landa has, along with sirens or faces unmistakable traces of natives. There is TILAC to the bottom of a valley reminiscent of Jose Maria Velasco, with their angels, their ears and their strange pitcher who finishes the entire composition, above San Francisco.

Fray Junipero Serra only lasted eight years on this project, but his utopian dream came to 1770, when various historical circumstances, such as the expulsion of the Jesuits, in part caused the abandonment of the missions. He, however, continued its mission of evangelization and the Franciscan ideal until the end of his life in Alta California. The Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda, the "five sisters," as called Diego Prieto and architect Jaime Font, is a wonderful legacy of that struggle to make the dream possible. Since 2003, the five sisters are considered World Heritage. In the distance, Fray Junipero and Franciscan missionaries, and the Lakers, and the jonaces Chichimecas, who built the missions, and the project of life, seem increasingly large.

La Sierra Gorda

It was decreed as a Biosphere Reserve on May 19, 1997, after being recognized as one of the areas of importance to bird conservation by the International Council for Bird Preservation Mexican, and being the 13th. Mexican reserves enter through the "Man and the Biosphere of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to its International Network of Biosphere Reserves.

It is located in the physiographic subprovinces huasteco called Carso, part of which is the great mountain known as Sierra Madre Oriental.

The region declared a Biosphere Reserve is located northeast of the state of Querétaro de Arteaga, encompassing the towns of Jalpan de Serra, Landa de Matamoros, Arroyo Seco, Pinal de Amoles (88% of the municipal territory) and Peñamiller (69.7% of its territory). Is monitored by Conanp.

Archeological Sites

2009-04-30T13:48:00.002-05:00

The archaeological sites of Ranas and Toluquilla, north of the state of Queretaro and south of the Sierra Gorda is located in a wooded area in an ecological niche that goes from the northwest to the southeast of the Sierra. This niche has great elevations of more than 3 000 m used parteaguas or barrier for the winds coming from the Gulf of Mexico, which makes the fog predominates and development of coniferous forest and oak.

This environment is surrounded to the east, west and south by low hills to experience the rain shadow effect, as the water falls in the high mountains, so little rain and generates a system of semi, with vegetation of cactus and low thorny bushes.

Most of the mountain is composed of limestone rocks with geological faults that allow the accumulation of minerals such as mercury, lead, zinc, silver, gold and small amounts of copper and arsenic. In pre-Hispanic times exploited the iron oxides, which appear as red soil, known as raddle and red mercury sulfide, maroon or locally known as cinnabar. These products, used as pigments in ancient times, were located in underground mines in operation and open skies.

History

Sierra Gorda is located north of the state of Querétaro is part of the Cordillera de la Sierra Madre Oriental that runs parallel to the Gulf of Mexico. This large area covers part of the states of Hidalgo, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato and Queretaro, and in the latter, the municipalities of Arroyo Seco, Pinal de Amoles, Jalpan Serra, Landa de Matamoros, San Joaquin and Peñamiller.

Recent studies indicate an age of between 6000 and 4000 years for the earliest human occupation of the south of the area. The Sierra Gorda was an area of intense cultural and commercial traffic to the coasts of the Gulf, the Huasteca and the bureau of central Mexico mainly, but traces have been found to account for trade with the regions of Rio Verde (San Luis Potosi) , Teotihuacan, Tula and the West of Mexico, the area of the Bajio, the valleys of Querétaro and San Juan del Rio.

Through analysis of the pictorial features found in the area, it is clear that nomadic hunter-gatherers and sedentary groups which wholly or partially dependent on agriculture were in frequent cultural exchange.

The contacts between people and cultures surrounding mountains were heterogeneous, as are local features, identity politics and the exploitation of mineral resources. For the period between 200 and 1000 AD, the Sierra Gorda has been classified into three regions: Rio Verde, and Sierra Huasteca culture, which inhabited groups own cultural identities.

The region of Rio Verde is located northwest of the state of Queretaro and their settlements were in the height of 1200 meters. Culture in the region of mountain settlements are located and Las Ranass Toluquilla, which are located in the upper parts of mountains, dominated the natural passes and controlled the mineral resources and the movement of goods. La Huasteca region covers the northeastern part of the state and among their settlements out Tancoyol, La Campana, Tancama and Tonatico, who controlled the fertile land in the valley and the middle slopes.

Upon arrival of the Spaniards, the land was inhabited by highland groups jonaces, Huastecos, and ximpeces Pamesa. Of these, the jonaces out for their ferocity and those who were involved in the controversial war Crescent, in 1749, which represents the end of attempts to pacify the area Chichimecas. Apparently, this famous war mitificó. Domain which was common on the hill called La Media Luna, located along the road to Jalpan in the area of the semi, there was a "final battle" between groups Chichimecas with the Spaniards and their native allies. It was said that when they saw the lost battle, whole families of Chichimecas be winnowed from the top of the walls of rock that stand out in a collective suicide attempt, highlighting their cultural integrity.

The Lakers (or xi'oi as themselves) were the most widespread and were peaceful and emotions to work and trade with the Spaniards. Who were gathered in greater numbers around the missions and worked with them the Franciscan longer. At present there are groups in the municipality of Pamesa Jalpan and the delegation of Tancoyol, mainly in the New Las Flores.

CHRONOLOGY

Pre-Hispanic times

Early settlers. Cadereyta in the south of the mountains in the area of Leon officers, they have found projectile points and Coxcatlán Tilapa rates, that indicate a human presence between 6000 and 4000 years of antigüedad.Clásico (200-900 AD) . The area is inhabited by the "mountain", which extracted cinnabar to trade with Teotihuacan.

800 A.D. By this time arriving in the region Otomí, which peacefully coexist with the groups that inhabited it.

Post (900-1521 D.C). The gradual drying of the area prevents the development of agriculture. Las Ranass, Toluquilla, and Quirambal The Soyatal are abandoned.

Colonial

1527. Nuño de Guzmán Oxitipa conquest of the manor, which belonged Jalpan, Xilitla, and Tancoyol TILAC.

1550. Missionary activity begins in the Sierra Gorda with the founding of a mission into Agustina Xilitla, San Luis Potosi.

1554. War begins with Chichimecas, considered a danger to the movement toward real mines, such as Zacatecas.

1676-1677. Working in the Augustinian missions Jalpan Conca Barranca and agree with the Franciscans.

1682-1683. Since the mission Maconí, head of the Sierra Gorda, the captain of Jerome Labra toward the site of Las Ranass and founded the missions of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Deconí, San Juan TETLA, San Francisco Tolimán, The Nopaleda, and Santiago del Palmar San Jose del Llano. After the death of De Labra, the missions remain unprotected.

1700. By this time, Dominicans and Augustinians abandon missions and they are left to the Franciscans to preach in Tolimán years ago, Cadereyta, Escanela and Maconí.

1740. Franciscans founded their first mission in San José de Vizarrón.

1744. On April 20, Father Pedro Pérez de Mezquía founded Franciscan mission in Santiago, Jalpan.

1750. Fray Junipero Serra's mission reaches Jalpan.

1751-1762. Construction missions of Santa Maria del Agua de Landa, San Miguel Conca, San Francisco del Valle de TILAC and Our Lady of Light Tancoyol.

1784. Father Junipero Serra died at age 70 after 34 years of missionary work, 11 of which were devoted to the noble and formidable task to achieve, in the company of Fray Francisco Palou, integrating spiritual, cultural, social and production of the indigenous people of the region. Today the municipality of Serra Jalpan is named in honor of the missionary.

XIX Century

1810. The revolutionary movement strongly influences the mountainous area and there are several armed uprisings.

1819. The population of Jalpan left in ruins after it was burned and ransacked by the army realistic.

1857. Since Jalpan, General Tomás Mejía undertakes continuous military actions against the Liberal Party, which ruled the state of Queretaro and the Republic, until the taking of the Plaza de Querétaro.

1880. The construction of an unpaved roads linking the capital of the state represents a strong impetus to economic development in the region.

XX Century

1904. The state governor, Francisco Gonzalez de Cosio, gives the villa Jalpan category city that already had telephone service (from batteries), power-based carbide, telegraph, as well as milling of sugar cane.

1911. Is created in Jalpan Aquiles Serdán Revolutionary Group, commanded by Mr Polycarp Olvera, who is under the command of Don Francisco I. Madero.

1962-1970. Thanks to efforts of Manuel Gonzalez de Cosio, governor of Querétaro, Querétaro is built road-Jalpan. It was also built roads and bridges, and introducing electricity services and water.

2003. UNESCO declared World Heritage Site to the Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda of Querétaro.

The mission of San Francisco Tolimán was founded in 1683.

La Presa Jalpan is of global importance because of waterfowl habitat.

Coniferous forest, rich cypress, ocote, pines and junipers.

Among the many highlights of rivers Jalpan, Ayutla, Santa Maria and Extoraz.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION Getting There

In the Sierra Gorda queretana can be accessed by the federal highway No.. 120 San Juan del Río-Xilitla, which is taken, if you come by the Mexico-Queretaro highway, at the height of San Juan del Rio.

From the city of Mexico, the North Terminal, leaving three runs buses to Xilitla, passing through various towns in the mountains. Also at the Terminal de Autobuses de Querétaro there are several races throughout the day to several mountain villages and two runs in first-class service to Jalpan Serra.

Jalpan is popularly known as the "heart of the Sierra Gorda," a metaphor that has its related real with all the services of a small Mexican town, two banks, variety of accommodation, a museum and historical center and managed care, which make your stay pleasant and safe, plus all the weekends are held in the artistic presentations of the main garden kiosk.

The neighboring state of San Luis Potosi is reached for the interstate highway No.. 57, which connects the town of Arroyo Seco with the Rio Verde Potosina population, with bus service to Jalpan several times. In the capital there are two straps Potosina Jalpan Serra.

Las Ranas

The archaeological site of Las Ranass is located in the southwest of the Sierra Gorda. You get to the site by the federal highway No.. 120 San Juan del Río-Xilitla; going population Vizarrón, seven miles below San Joaquin is the archaeological area and later. This site is located 154 km northwest of the city of Queretaro.

Inhabited between VII and XI centuries, Las Ranas was one of the cities with the highest cultural development between the peoples of the region due to the extensive trade which provided both to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and to the Altiplano. The mining of cinnabar (red pigment in great demand among the Mesoamerican peoples) was one of the main economic activities, along with seasonal agriculture.

The characteristics of the buildings indicate the existence of a stratified society. The people used materials from the region and mixed stone flagstone and mud, the floors were packed with earth or stucco siding. The urban development reflects an important advantage of the irregular terrain of the mountains. Las Ranass was invaded by peoples from the north Chichimecas mainly jonaces, and when the Spaniards arrived in the region was uninhabited.

Toluquilla

The archaeological site is located 110 km northwest of San Juan del Rio. It is reached by State Highway No.. 120 San Juan del Río-Xilitla reaching Vizarrón 7 km forward is located 27 km and San Joaquin toward Maconí, take the turning on the Hope Ranch, to find the gap that leads to the archaeological site.

Toluquilla ( "Hill of Jorobadillo") is located on the plateau of the hill which takes its name. Upon arrival the Spaniards was uninhabited, like his contemporary Las Ranass. Toluquilla it was smaller and reached its peak around the ninth century. Long-established important trade ties with Teotihuacan, Tula and the Huasteca, and along with Las Ranass, controlled the trade of mercury and cinnabar.

Constructive Toluquilla shares many characteristics with other cities in the Sierra Gorda, mainly Las Ranass. It was common to use flagstone stone, clay and stucco, and had an efficient use of landfill sites by allowing extensions and leveling the ground to suit the needs of growth. With a stratified social organization, the decline took place between Toluquilla xy xi century as part of the phenomenon of social maladjustment of the whole area. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 17:00 hr. Services: custodians.

Wine Tours in Queretaro

2009-04-30T13:18:00.004-05:00

Make a little trip to visit the wineries in the state of Quéretaro, México. We would recommend to stay in Tequisquiapan, a beautiful village about 30 minutes outside of Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. The village has a very picturesque spanish style plaza with many good restaurants that serve the local wines. There are also some very nice wine and cheese bars, where one can sample local cheeses paired with the local wines. There are some very nice hotels right on or very near to the plaza in all different price ranges.

From Tequisquiapan it is about 15 min drive to "La Redonda" wineries

http://www.laredonda.com.mx/

The winery has free tours once a day during the week and every hour on the weekend. You can sample their wines for free and the tour is very interesting, although it is a very small winery. They plant Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, a local grape called Salvador and just started to plant Tempranillo, of which they don´t offer any wines yet. Their 2004 Malbec-Cabernet called Orlandi is pretty good; they also make some very good sparkling wine, which they produce using the "Methode champenoise". The winery is owned by an Italian family, they offer italian food at the weekends.

From La Redonda it is a 5 minutes drive to Freixenet of Mexico (Mexican subidiary of the spanish company):

http://www.freixenetmexico.com.mx/Freixenet/Index.html

Freixenet also offers a free tour, where one can visit the deepest cavas in the Americas (25 mts). They also produce the sparkling wines (cavas) following the methode champenoise. They make excellent sparkling wines. Freixenet also has their own winebar in Tequisquiapan, where they offer Freixenet wines from all over the world. Very interesting, so you can sample wine make from the same grapes from the same company from different continents.

The village Tequisquiapan also has a wine & cheese festival end of May, I will definetely visit again for this occasion:

http://www.tequisquiapan.com.mx/docs.php?id=115

Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

2009-04-30T11:57:00.005-05:00

Santiago de Queretaro is the capital of the Mexican state of Querétaro and head of the municipality of Querétaro. The city was founded on July 25, 1531, in Loma de Sangremal. Its adjective is queretano. The original colonial name was "Santiago de Querétaro" in honor of the patron saint of Spain battling the Apostle James and the name given by the Chichimecas: Querendaro or Cretaro place between clubs from the Aztecs Tlachco land, after the Independence of Mexico was only "Querétaro" or "City of Querétaro. However, after his appointment in 1996 as a World Heritage Site, took up the original name of "Santiago de Queretaro. The original name was Purepecha "K'eretarhu" or instead of a big city, while his name was Otomí "Ndämxei" or "Andamaxei" place where the ballgame is played and its Nahuatl name was Tlachco that mean the same thing.

The city of Querétaro, with 596,450 inhabitants in 2005 (734139 inh. In the town) is the third most populous in the Bajio region, after Morelia, although its metropolitan area (918,100 inhabitants) exceeds the latter city.

The city is located with 10 other metropolitan areas in 3 cities (Querétaro, El Marqués and Corregidora), bringing together 918,100 people in 2005. Maintained the growth rates seen in the last period for the 1st. July 2007 estimated 615,750 inhabitants for the city, 747,930 inhabitants for the urban area, 764,550 inhabitants to 962,240 for the municipality and the metropolitan area.

Sights and Attractions in the city of Querétaro, Mexico

Designation of the city of Querétaro as a World Heritage Site

In October 1995 the relevant file, having been summoned to 22 units, companies, associations and institutions related to the cultural heritage of Querétaro. From here, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has developed the definitive record.

Through efforts of the governor and the mayor, Querétaro, Mexico presented a list of candidate sites to be part of world heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). A committee made an assessment visit of the city and took tours of the area of architectural monuments and historical sites.

On December 5, 1995, during the annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee observed in Mérida, it was decided to register in the city of Querétaro on the List of World Cultural Heritage. With this designation, the people and the government are obliged to promote, protect, conserve, revalue and cultural heritage.

Civil Architecture

Aqueduct of Querétaro: symbol of the city since it was completed in 1735. The full aqueduct measured 8 932 m length and a monumental archway is 1 280 m. Its exact height is 28.42 m, similar to the Roman constructions of its kind.
Theater of the Republic: host 3 key events in the history of this country:
1. Premiere of the Mexican National Anthem, simultaneously with other cities in 1854.
2. The trial of Maximilian of Hapsburg and his generals Tomás Mejía and Miguel Miramón in 1867.
3. Discussion and adoption of the Constitution of the United Mexican States, 1917.

Casa de la Corregidora (erroneously called the Corregidora) headquarters Corregimiento Querétaro where he met with Hidalgo, Allende and others to plan for the independence of Mexico. On September 15, 1810 plans ahead, he left here the message that triggered the Scream and the War of Independence. It is now used as the State Government Palace.
Academy of Fine Arts: Neoclassical building opened in 1805. In their hall or lounge oval where the president was Don Manuel de la Peña y Peña summoned to Congress to seek the cessation of hostilities between Mexico and United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This was signed at the home of the president who is also in Querétaro.
Royal College of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier: Jesuits founded schools and did not receive the title of Royal and Pontifical College Seminars until the second half of the eighteenth century. The expulsion of the Order of the Society of Jesus on 25 June 1767 caused its closure. Were reopened in 1771 and between 1863 and 1950 was called the Civil College of Querétaro. It is currently home to some powers of the UAQ.
Gran Hotel Queretaro: the place where were the ruins of the Convento Grande 4 chapels of San Francisco de Asis, was proposed to build a new palace of government, but was not carried out and the property was sold to Don Well cipriano between 1890-1893 who built this luxurious hotel.

Casa de la Marquesa: This house was built for Don Francisco Alday, she lived in an indirect descendant of the Marquis II del Villar del Águila, when he had already died, 'therefore it was not built for his wife. Stayed here in 1824 Agustín de Iturbide. Today is one of the most exclusive hotels in Mexico.

Other mansions Queretanas: examples of beautiful buildings of s. Eighteenth-century splendor of the city are the mansions that are located mainly around the walker May 5 and the Plaza de la Independencia and Calle Hidalgo: Don Bartolo's house, headquarters of one of the most famous legends of the city, the "house of dogs" which is named for the gargoyles that adorn it in the form of dogs, the 5 yards of the mansion that served as temporary residence of Maximilian and Porfirio Díaz, the house of Don Tomas Lopez Ecal, for many the most beautiful city in which was the square of the town square now or Independence.
Cistern of Querétaro: with the arrival of water through the aqueduct, built beautiful Baroque sources of which are preserved only some and not all correspond to the same period. In the first half of the eighteenth century the city had more than 70 public and others in private residences.

Architecture

Temple and former Convent of Saint Augustine: it has a facade with sculptures of the crucified Christ, San Jose, La Virgen de los Dolores, Sta Monica, Sta Rita, San Francisco and San Augustine. Its dome is one of the most beautiful in Mexico by 8 sculptures of angels dressed as Indians in the region and playing instruments at the base. The tower of the temple was never finished, like the cathedral, probably due to lack of budget. The cloister of the former convent is considered the most beautiful baroque courtyard of America and one of the best examples of Baroque around the world. The former convent houses since 1988, the Art Museum of Queretaro.
Santa Rosa de Viterbo: represents the maximum reaching the baroque splendor in this city, with a unique influence of Mudejar architecture, is the maximum work of Mariano de las Casas who also built the monumental clock (first clock repetition It was built in America) and its beautiful altarpieces. In the sacristy is a portrait of Sister Ana Maria de San Francisco and Neve, one of the best tables designed in the s. XVIII.
Temple and Convent of Santa Cruz: This temple is dedicated to a cross from the quarry s. XVI Chichimecas carved by hand, which represents which saw the founding of the city in the battle for the hill Sangremal after 8 hours of fighting on July 25, 1531. The convent was the first ecclesiastical college of Propaganda Fide in America. Hence, many missionaries came as Fray Junipero Serra, the builder of the Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda and the Alta California. It has also been of great importance for the history of the country served as a prison for Don Miguel Dominguez, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and Epigmenio Gonzales during the conspiracy; Iturbide was taken to end the colonial regime in Queretaro, Maximilian was barracks and afternoon during his first imprisonment in Queretaro site. Still serving the church, but guided tours.
Temple and former Convent of St. Francis of Assisi: It is the largest temple in the city cathedral and was for a long period. The convent was the first of the city and is currently occupied by the Regional Museum.
Old San Felipe Neri Oratory, Cathedral of Queretaro: Unlike nearly all the cathedrals of the world, of Querétaro is not facing the main square, and neither is near the government palace, is simply a cross between street : Madero and Ocampo. One of the largest temples of Queretaro, the facade has finished most of the city with a mixture of several styles. It is the Cathedral of Queretaro since 1920, although the chapel dates from 1786. He was blessed by Don Miguel Hidalgo, who conducted the first Mass in 1805.
Templo de Santa Clara de Asis: what remains of the Royal Convent of Santa Clara of Assisi, one of the largest and most important of the colonial era (4 blocks occupied, and came to live with over 500 women), was destroyed during the Guerra de Reforma. The temple is the most ornate of the city, highlighting its altarpieces, bars and choruses.
Sanctuary of the Congregation: The only ancient temple with 2 twin towers in Queretaro. Carlos de Sigüenza Góngora and a book devoted to the holidays that were celebrated in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe in this temple. On the inside there is a tubular organ majestic and beautiful painting of the Virgin, by Miguel Cabrera.
Former convent of the Capuchin Poor: 2 host museums, art served prison Maximiliano. Notably, the Capuchin nuns were asked to the Marquis that the construction of the aqueduct.
Temple and former Convent Teresitas: neoclassicist of maximum expression in Queretaro. Functioned as the ex-barracks and prison 3era Maximiliano, among other uses, and is currently a music conservatory.
Temple and former Convent of El Carmen: one of the largest temples in the city, famous for the fair amount of pigeons that flock to its adjacent square.
Parish main Santiago de Queretaro: this first sang patriotic hymn to the Virgin of Guadeloupe, in the era that served as Cathedral (1887).

Museums

In the city you can visit the following museums:

Regional Museum: here are some of the most beautiful objects in the history of the state and Mexico.
Art Museum: located in the ex-convent of San Agustín has a permanent collection of Mexican painting and sculpture in Europe and mainly from the eighteenth century.
City Museum: Located in the ex-Capuchin shows temporary exhibitions of art (painting, sculpture, film, theater, etc.)..
Museum of the Restoration of the Republic: shows weapons, uniforms and other objects from the era of the Second Empire and the Mexican site of Queretaro, where the final battle Republican Army defeated the aliens in 1867. Furthermore it shows how life was hooded nuns (to locate in the convent, but in an entirely separate part of the city museum).
Museum of the History of Magic: is an interactive museum that shows Querétaro throughout its history until the twentieth century.
Museum of Zacatecas: located at the House of Zacatecas (site of another legend of Queretaro). The museum has 12 rooms with antiques from the nineteenth century, a room decorated with the Louis XVI style salon and watches, watches with 39 British, American, French and German from the XVII, XVIII and XIX.
Museum of Mathematics: This interactive museum help to better understand the science, models, exercises, etc..

Squares and Gardens

Within the Zone of Querétaro Historic Monuments of these beautiful areas are open:

Garden Zenea: the most representative of the city bears the name of a governor queretano of the 1870s. Shown in a beautiful source of the Greek goddess Hebe and a kiosk, both s. XIX. Dates decembrinas is installed in your garden with a monumental sculpture of birth size.
Independence Square or Plaza de Armas: is the main square. At its north side is the Government Palace in the state. In the other, is surrounded by famous restaurants and mansions of the s. XVIII.
Constitution Square: will be located between the Grand Hotel and the Academy of Fine Arts. Below is an underground car park with capacity for 300 vehicles. Originally a market in 1963 was the square with a column for each state of the country, each enrolled the names of its members signed the Constitution of 1917. Around 2000 everything was removed, and was a circular fountain in a controversial redevelopment.
Founders Plaza: is the birthplace of the city. You can visit where to buy small crafts.
Jardín Guerrero: along with the delegation from the Center (formerly City Hall). This site was thought to use to build a new cathedral (shortly after the War of Reform), but the ground was unstable, so it was left as a garden.
Garden of Corregidora: surrounded by shops, looks at its center, the Monument to the Corregidora.
Plaza Ignacio Mariano de las Casas: it was built to provide a better view of the temple of Santa Rosa de Viterbo.
Francisco I Madero Garden: is located at one side of Santa Clara and sports the famous Neptune Fountain.

Parks

In Querétaro, there are 2 national parks:

The Cerro de las Campanas, within the World Heritage.
Cimatario the National Park, south of the city.

An eco-tourism park:

La Joya Barreta Park is located north of town, past the community of Santa Rosa Jáuregui and going to San Miguel de Allende. With an area of 2450000 m2, is the largest park of the municipality and is distinguished by the presence of oak wood, and other vegetation types. It is dedicated to the conservation of mountain ecosystem that offers alternative activities for recreation, leisure and education for all audiences. It can be done hiking, camping, mountain biking, hiking, summer camps or workshops and is in charge of the Department of Ecology of the Municipality of Querétaro.

Other parks are:

Queretaro 2000 has an Olympic swimming pool, an auditorium, theater (sound shell) and soccer fields and baseball, and other services.
Alfalfa: with over 240 thousand square meters is the largest park in the city of modern style with a small artificial lake.
Road Park: A park located on the outskirts of the city center. Regularly is a meeting of Boy Scouts and the MJC.
Park Hacienda Gardens Park located in the area of the city surponiente.
Michigan Holland Park is a park located between the Delegation Epigmenio González and the Centro Comercial Pie de la Cuesta, behind it lies the National Pedagogical University unit Querétaro. How has that special gift was in the company of Holland, Michigan, United States to enhance cooperation between the two cities.
Alameda Miguel Hidalgo, one of the largest malls in the country, is part of World Heritage. In the center there is a bronze statue covered with gold don Miguel Hidalgo.
Alcanfores: in fact two parks (north and south) divided by a railway. Both parks have several of the oldest trees in the city.

There are other parks, neighborhoods with recently constructed with the same name, and ocilan between 3 000 and 22 000 square meters.