Travel Guide CHIHUAHUA Contents DISCOVER CHIHUAHUA 01 CHIHUAHUA PROFILE 03 CHIHUAHUA ATTRACTIONS 04 CHIHUAHUA DINING 14 CHIHUAHUA SHOPPING 18 CHIHUAHUA NIGHTLIFE 21 THINGS TO DO IN CHIHUAHUA 23 DISCOVER CHIHUAHUA Chihuahua is the capital city of the state of Chihuahua, the largest Mexican state. Rich in culture and history, this city has extreme weather conditions and offers excellent cuisine that is based around high-quality beef. Located in a valley and surrounded by mountains and canyons the area’s landscape is perfect for adventure and eco-tourism, including the famous route through the Copper Canyon on the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, more commonly known as the “El Chepe” train. Chihuahua is a dynamic city where you’ll see a fascinating contrast of modern architecture and a deep cultural heritage. It is home to a number of colleges and universities as well as major industrial parks and manufacturing companies, which are the city’s main source of employment. This industrial destination also has plenty of history and culture with many museums and colonial buildings making up some of the most popular attractions in the city of Chihuahua. 1 A BRIEF HISTORY The city of Chihuahua was founded on October 12, 1709, by the Spanish explorer Antonio Deza y Ulloa. This is where the architect of Mexico’s Independence, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, was imprisoned and died. It was also the home of the first Mexican president, Benito Juarez, who came to this land to preserve the national sovereignty and fight against the French invasion. Francisco “Pancho” Villa, who was a hero of the Mexican Revolution, also lived here and used the city as a base to command the Northern Division army. His mansion has since been turned into a museum and is one of the main cultural attractions in Chihuahua. During the French occupation and a war between the liberals and conservatives, Chihuahua was the country’s capital and the seat of the federal government. The late nineteenth century saw the beginning of industry, the construction of the railroad and a productive infrastructure driven by both local economic interests and foreign investors. 2 CHIHUAHUA PROFILE It’s the second largest and most populated city in the state of Chihuahua. It has diverse geographical features, including rivers, valleys and mountains. It’s the starting point of the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico (El Chepe Train). There are lots of natural areas for adventure tourism and hunting. Known for light industry in the form of Maquiladoras (free trade zone factories). Has a rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage. Has extreme seasonal temperatures. Features a world-class urban infrastructure. Home to a variety of colleges and universities. A commercial city with lots of industrial parks. 3 CHIHUAHUA ATTRACTIONS Chihuahua is a city with a rich history, as demonstrated by its many buildings and monuments. This city is home to artwork that ranges from the colonial period to neoclassical and art nouveau. Several mansions still exist to this day and are a legacy of the city’s period of great wealth that resulted from the local mining industry and the rise of the haciendas. Some of these mansions have now been converted into museums that house objects and furniture from times gone by, the most famous being Quinta Gameros. The city of Chihuahua offers a fascinating history combined with art and plenty of culture. Walk through the streets, enjoy an excursion or take a tour in Chihuahua and immerse yourself in the history of Mexico. CITY HALL This stunning neoclassical structure was built with carved stone and has a central courtyard where you can see the mural created by Aaron Pina Mora, which displays the history of the state of Chihuahua from the Conquest through to the Reformation. On one side of the staircase, where Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was shot, you’ll find the “Altar a la Patria” (Altar to the Motherland), which is represented by an eternal flame. 4 THE CHIHUAHUA CATHEDRAL The Chihuahua Cathedral is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in northern Mexico. This grand building was built with pink stone and has two identical 130 foot towers that rest on three naves, creating a structure that is strikingly similar to that of the dome at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The cathedral took 100 years to complete due to the ongoing battles with the Apaches and Comanches, as all available funds were being spent on the war. The cathedral has impressive stone and Carrara marble altars along with Venetian crystal chandeliers and a large German organ that is one of the best of its kind. The chapel has a niche with an image of the Black Christ of Mapimi, which was formerly housed in the original temple that was located on the same spot. 5 THE DUNGEON OF DON MIGUEL HIDALGO Located within the Casa Chihuahua museum, this is where Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was imprisoned for three months and where he spent his last days. Some of Father Hidalgo’s possessions have been preserved and you can even see verses dedicated to some of the jailers that he wrote to show his gratitude. THE QUINTA GAMEROS This spectacular mansion was designed by the engineer Manual Gameros, a wealthy miner from Chihuahua who constructed the building for his family. Unfortunately, they were unable to enjoy it as they had to flee to El Paso, Texas during the Revolution. The mansion was then used as the headquarters for the revolutionary forces. In 1958, the Quinta Gameros became the property of the National Institute of Anthropology and History, and it now houses the Regional State Museum. Inside this two-story structure you’ll find a magnificent example of art nouveau. On the upper floor you can admire works by major artists from Chihuahua as well as pieces from the Paquime culture that were found in the Casas Grandes area. 6 MUSEUM OF THE REVOLUTION Also called La Quinta Luz or La Casa de Villa, this mansion is where the wife of General Francisco Villa lived until her death. The property was later donated and transformed into a museum dedicated to the Mexican Revolution. This old house has two floors, a basement, a central courtyard and a rear patio, where Villa located his barracks. The museum houses documents, weapons, photographs, furniture and other objects from that era, giving visitors a glimpse into the life of Francisco Villa and the events of the revolutionary period. GUADALUPE SANCTUARY This neoclassical building is one of the oldest temples in the city of Chihuahua and was originally the chapel for an indigenous neighborhood. Due to their devotion to their patron saint, in the late eighteenth century they decided to expand the structure and make it more beautiful. Within the building you’ll find antiques that were once in the Jesuit church of Loreto. 7 MUSEUM OF SACRED ART The museum has two rooms displaying beautiful samples of religious Mexican art from the eighteenth century. One of the rooms is dedicated to angels and the other has culturally significant paintings from the period, such as the “Immaculate Conception” by Miguel Cabrera, “San Francisco de Kotska” by Francisco Martinez, “The Prison of Jesus”, “Jesus before Caiaphas”, “The Flagellation” and “The Crucifixion” by Jose de Alcibar. The collection also includes 18 works on the Passion of Jesus, an ivory crucifix and a polychrome wooden sculpture of the Christ of Mapimi. 8 CHIHUAHUA CULTURAL CENTER This neoclassical building was constructed in the late nineteenth century and its beautiful architecture reflects the great wealth of Chihuahua’s landowners. The patio area has a magnificent glass dome and the structure also features wrought iron gates brought in from New Orleans. The center features intricate tile floors and a room that displays artistic works from the Paquime culture. THE TROLLEY This bus has been decorated in the style of a train car from the early twentieth century. It travels to the main monuments and buildings in Chihuahua and you can climb on board where it departs from City Hall or at several other points throughout the city. 9 SEMILLA MUSEUM Located just a few blocks from Plaza de Armas, this children’s museum showcases astronomy, physics, medicine and biology. Visitors can enjoy games, entertainment and interactive displays. The museum also has two permanent exhibition halls, a cafeteria and computer rooms. LA LEALTAD REPUBLICANA MUSEUM Also known as Casa de Juarez, this was the official residence of President Benito Juarez for two years and was used as the seat of his government when he moved to Chihuahua to organize the fight against the French invaders. The museum contains a large number of manuscripts, photographs and other valuable belongings, including family letters and correspondence with his generals and other countries that supported their cause. You’ll also see period furnishings that recreate the era in which the president lived. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Also called Museo Casa Redonda, this building has large rooms that house various collections of contemporary Mexican artwork. It also hosts temporary exhibitions by renowned artists. This nineteenth century building was once a workshop for trains, which lends a historical atmosphere to the structure. During your explorations, you’ll see pictures and models that demonstrate the history and beginnings of the railroad in the state of Chihuahua. 10 MAMMOTH MUSEUM This fascinating museum covers the natural history of the state of Chihuahua from the age of reptiles to present day. It houses a mammoth skeleton as well as fossils and extinct species of flora and fauna from the region. CHIHUAHUA GATE The Chihuahua Gate is an impressive metal monument that features a combination of red geometric forms.