San Miguel de Allende Walking Audio History Tour

Take a stroll through San Miguel de Allende with Juliana. Hear the history behind the icon that is San Miguel. Listen to the stories behind the construction of the Parroquia and its fabulous facade. Hear about the early days of San Miguel and the Silver Trail that ran from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico and passed through San Miguel, bringing tremendous prosperity in the 18th century. Hear the stories of the art school that drew expats from the USA and Canada to San Miguel to study art' and began the transformation of San Miguel into this center for the arts. This is a self-guided audio tour. Download the audios onto your cell phone. Let Juliana and Marcela guide you through the downtown area with the aid of maps, photos and their own directional instructions. Move at your own pace and let them reveal the magic and the secrets that lay hidden in plain site. Take a deep dive into this fascinating history and discover a greater appreciation for this fabulous town.

1. 1

   Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel

   30 min

   The tour starts in front of the Parroquia. There will be a brief introduction and overview of the tour. You will hear of the original construction of the church in the late 17th century and also the secrets of the stone facade that was not added until 1880. There will also be a walk through the inside of the Parroquia with stories and descriptions of points of interest.

2. 2

   Ignacio Allende House (Casa de Ignacio Allende)

   30 min

   You will hear a brief descriptions of the architectural style of the house and a short description of Ignacio Allende the man. There will be an section of the social forces that were at work in New Spain and in Europe that led to the War of Independence from Spain. There will also be a discussion of the early days of San Miguel, The silver trail that stretched from Mexico City to Santa Fe New Mexico and passed through San Miguel. It brought tremendous prosperity to San Miguel in the 18th century.

3. 3

   Jardin Allende

   15 min

   There will be a short discussion of the origins of the Jardin. And it will be explained why the Jardin is the geographical, social and cultural center of San Miguel de Allende. Also a short historical sketch of Father Miguel Hidalgo the hero of the War of Independence that towers above all the others.

4. 4

   Casa del Mayorazgo de Canal

   10 min

   There will be a short description of the architectural style and an explanation of the symbolism in the facade above the main entry door. Also a short history of the Patriarch of the Canal Family, Don Manuel Tomas Canal. Guests will be advised that the guard just inside the door is only there to have you sign in and leave back packs and water bottles behind. The house is open to the public at no charge.

5. 5

   Bellas Artes

   20 min

   The guests will enter the courtyard and walk through the gardens and listen to the story of how the building began as a convent in the mid 18th century. Also they will hear about the beginnings of the art school in 1938 that drew American and Canadian expats to San Miguel to study art and began the renaissance that San Miguel has experienced in the last 80 year. They will hear of the arrival of the world renown Mexican artist David Siqueiros, the trauma the school experienced in the late 1940's leading to its closing. They will also visit the mural room in which David Siqueiros was teaching a mural painting class and see traces of his genius that remain there to this day. At the end of audio recording # 10, the tour will be finished.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.