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Travel Guide AGUASCALIENTES Contents DISCOVER AGUASCALIENTES 01 AGUASCALIENTES PROFILE 03 AGUASCALIENTES ATTRACTIONS 04 AGUASCALIENTES DINING 11 AGUASCALIENTES SHOPPING 13 AGUASCALIENTES NIGHTLIFE 15 THINGS TO DO IN AGUASCALIENTES 17 DISCOVER AGUASCALIENTES Aguascalientes is a beautiful colonial city, featuring important automotive, textile, and electronics industries. The city was founded in 1575 by the Spanish Conquistadors, and earned its name, which translates to “hot waters”, due to the numerous amount of hot springs in the region. Since then, it has attracted travelers looking to enjoy these relaxing, medicinal waters. Nowadays, people come on vacation to Aguascalientes to enjoy walking its picturesque streets, admiring historic buildings and monuments, and touring the traditional vineyards. Tourists flock to the city from all corners to see the incredible San Marcos Fair, which is one of the most important cultural events in the country. You can also see the beautiful haciendas that have played major roles in the social and economic development of the region, from the middle of the 17th century until the beginning of the 19th century. BUSINESS IN AGUASCALIENTES If you’re in the city for business you can make the most of the centrally located convention center. You’ll love the excellent business hotels in Aguascalientes, which offer modern facilities and event space close to major shopping malls and industrial parks. If you prefer superior service and lavish amenities, then don’t forget to check out the luxury hotels in Aguascalientes. Transportation is quick and easy in the city, as it features three beltways for your convenience. The city of Leon is about 90 minutes away, while Guadalajara and Zacatecas are just four hours away, making Aguascalientes an ideal place to do business in Mexico. 1 A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY After the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, lots of the Spanish conquistadors decided to head north in search of riches. They found deposits of silver in these arid lands and started to mine it, which became the economic driving force for the region. Because of the silver, roads were made that connected this newly conquered territory (New Galicia) to New Spain. In addition to the wealth created, the Spanish also found indigenous people, mostly nomads, who instilled terror into the travelers using the poor quality roads that formed the “Silver Route”. Due to the constant assaults on the roads by the region’s indigenous people, the Spanish decided to establish towns along the “Silver Route”, which were fortified positions for safe travel. This led to the founding of a town in 1575 that had lots of hot springs, which was subsequently called “Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion de las Aguascalientes”. 2 AGUASCALIENTES PROFILE A colonial city with more than 400 years of history Host of the famous San Marcos National Fair Well-established business infrastructure Home to major automotive, textile, and electronics companies A city divided into neighborhoods full of tradition and culture Religious tourism with dozens of churches Delicious wines and cuisines Important railway culture 3 AGUASCALIENTES ATTRACTIONS In Aguascalientes you’ll find countless historic buildings, beautiful temples that date back hundreds of years, and a wide variety of museums showing off valuable works of art. Heading outside of the city, you can visit the region’s bVeautiful historic haciendas and its famous hot springs, which are popular for their healing properties. There’s always a lot to do in Aguascalientes! SAN MARCOS GARDENS AND TEMPLE The construction of this beautiful place was finished in 1842 and features a neo-Classic balustrade of pink stone, along with entranceways at all four points of the compass. Nowadays the site is an iconic symbol of Aguascalientes. At the extreme western end of the gardens, you’ll find the San Marcos Temple standing tall. The construction of the temple started before 1655 and it remained unfinished for more than 100 years, until it was finally completed in 1765. The monument has a Churrigueresque Baroque-style facade, with a neo-Classic chancel featuring, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the center, and a sculpture of Saint Mark at the top. 4 THE CATHEDRAL The cathedral in Aguascalientes is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is considered to be the oldest temple in the city. The cathedral is located in the spot where a chapel was founded in 1575, but was later remodeled. The main facade includes elements of Solomonic baroque architecture. SAN MARCOS NATIONAL FAIR The San Marcos National Fair is one of the most important in Aguascalientes and all of Mexico, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is an event with religious origins that has taken place in the months of April and May since 1823. Over time concerts, livestock shows, beauty contests, children activities, and artistic exhibitions have been added to its program, as well as traditional events like cockfights and bullfights. SAN MARCOS BULLRING Aguascalientes has a long rich history of bullfighting, as can be seen in this historic bullring, which was built in 1896. Currently it is used as a bullfighting academy, where children and adults can learn the moves and techniques needed to face this immense animal. The bullring has become an integral part of the San Marcos National Fair, as numerous bullfighting events are held here. It is conveniently located next to San Marcos Garden. 5 THE MONUMENTAL BULLRING As time passed, the San Marcos Bullring wasn’t large enough to hold the growing number of visitors who traveled from all corners of Mexico to see the events held here. This is why the Monumental Bullring was built, one of the largest and most beautiful in Latin America. It can hold up to 16,000 people and has an elevator for senior citizens and disabled people. Inside there is a private chapel with the “Black Christ of Encino” who the bullfighters pay homage to before they perform. PALACIO DE GOBIERNO (CITY HALL) Located on the southern side of the main plaza, this beautiful building dates back to 1665. The construction has a great historic value, and features a charming facade of red volcanic rock and more than a hundred archways that enclose its two courtyards. At the back it has murals made by the Chilean Oswaldo Barra that depict the history of the area and the country. ENCINO TEMPLE Built between 1773 and 1796, this temple is where they venerate the Black Christ, whose image appeared sat on a throne that was struck by lightning, and who is commemorated every November 13. They say that the bullfighters are the most fervent devotees of this beautiful black figure. The walls of the temple display a collection of the Stations of the Cross made by Andres Lopez between 1798 and 1801. The Encino Temple is located in Triana, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. 6 BROKEN CHRIST This enormous statue dominates the landscape of Presa Calles. From the edge of the dock, in the town of San Jose Garcia, you can see this small island that is located in the middle of the lake formed by the dam. The Broken Christ attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year, and the town’s infrastructure is continually improving to be able to cater to the destination’s high demand. The Broken Christ is something not to be missed during your next vacation in Aguascalientes. CASA DE LA CULTURA (HOUSE OF CULTURE) The “Casa de la Cultura” (House of Culture) is located in a 17th century building that used to be a private house, then a nunnery, before being converted into its present function. It features a number of treasures inside, including six bronze plaques with the theme of Aztec gods and kings. The buildings courtyards are commonly used to host book fairs, theater shows, exhibitions, or book launches. REGIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM The Regional History Museum takes you on a journey through the evolution of Aguascalientes, from prehistoric times to the modern day. Inside you’ll find nine galleries displaying the region’s paleontology and different archeological and colonial ceramic artifacts, as well as pieces that date back to the 1914 Revolutionary Convention. It is definitely an obligatory stop during your time sightseeing in this beautiful city. CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM At the Aguascalientes Contemporary Art Museum you’ll find a wonderful collection of the most representative Mexican visual art. The museum also features large galleries where temporary exhibitions are displayed. 7 “DESCUBRE” (DISCOVER) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM On the outskirts of the city you’ll find a wonderful spiral-shaped building, the “Descubre” Science and Technology Museum, an innovative interactive museum. Here you can delve into science and technology, finding out about the mysteries of our planet and the universe, and visualizing a global perspective of the environment that surrounds us. This museum is somewhere different, in which learning becomes an exciting adventure. MUSEUM OF DEATH “La Catrina”, “La Huesuda”, and “La Flaca”, Mexican culture has lots of names for Death. Ever since pre-Hispanic times, the Mexicans have had a unique concept of and relation with Death, which is why the National Museum of Death was founded in 2007. Here you’ll find images, representations and tributes from different eras (pre-Hispanic, colonial, and the modern day). Every year, the museum hosts a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities during the “Festival de las Calaveras” (Festival of Skulls). 8 SAN MARCOS CONVENTION CENTER This beautiful building is built entirely of pink stone. It is used as a convention center by the state government, while during the San Marcos National Fair it functions as a casino. It really is one of the main attractions for tourists during the event.