Queretaro City

Queretaro - Other Cities and Attractions

Queretaro is one of Mexico's most prized colonial jewels, located two and a half hours by car north of Mexico City. As the capital of the state of Queretaro, the city has 850,000 residents and stands as an important witness to Mexican history.

The city's colorful historic center is adorned with baroque churches, temples and mansions showcasing graceful balconies and elaborate facades, and is surrounded by charming plazas with stunning fountains and statues. The main square, with beautiful buildings and interesting legends, is the recommended starting point for a walking expedition. Most of the city's baroque buildings are concentrated in this area, along with the San Agustin Monastery that now serves as the Museum of Art; and the Convent of San Francisco, that houses the Regional Museum of Queretaro.

The main plaza is also a great place for shopping with street vendors lined-up with their permanent stands selling all types of handicrafts. Casa Queretana de la Artesania is a government-operated shop in the plaza that showcases a variety of handicrafts ranging from embroidered fabrics to Talavera-style pottery. Another shop worth visiting is Casa Canela, located in La Casona de los Cinco Patios, known for its traditional and contemporary handicrafts.

Queretaro is a city rich in colonial traditions and culture, perfect for travelers interested in exploring a well-preserved history represented in spectacular colonial structures.

Templo de Santa Prisca

Templo de Santa Prisca is on Plaza Borda (the Main Square) and its pink stonework is revered world-wide. 

The interior decoration here is also magnificent; catch at at least a glimpse of the gold work around the altar. It was designed with lavish Mudejar details, as seen in its slender tower and soaring flying buttresses, which, in a sudden Gothic reversion, are topped by irreverent gremlin faces. Inside, the church is Baroque, with painstakingly elaborate marquetry and the requisite extravagant gilding.

Cerro de las Campanas

This place of great historic importance was scene of the end of the struggle between the Republic and the Spanish Empire. During the Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg times, his generals Miguel Miramon and Tomas Mejia were executed in this place, obeying orders of the War Court. This event caused the victory of the Republic, declaring this way, our country's sovereignty. In this park is located the commemorative chapel of the execution of Maximilian of Austria, which was built in 1901 by the Austrian government; nowadays, it is opened to the public. In 1967, the Mexican government built here a monumental statue of the president Benito Juarez.

Currently, the “Cerro de las Campanas” (the Bells Hill), is a recreational place for amusement with wide green spaces, games, an artificial lake, a theater and a tiny museum named “Museo del Sitio”, that features documents reproductions, pictures and other items of the Second Empire times.

City Museum

The “Museo de la Ciudad” is situated inside the former Convent of the Capuchin Nuns of San Jose de Garcia. This building dates from 1771; it was used as barracks during the application of the Reforma laws in 1861. This art house features different cultural elements that allow the appreciation of the Queretaro history, transporting you through time. The exhibition halls show continuous artistic and cultural contemporary tendencies. Nowadays, several high quality artistic works are exhibited.

Cerro de las Campanas

Cerro de las Campanas has become the symbol of Mexico's liberation from the yoke that other countries tried to impose on it.

In 1867, the Emperor Maximilian surrendered in the city of Querétaro, handing over his sword to General Mariano Escobedo, before being shot by a firing squad in the Cerro de las Campanas, together with his generals, Miramón and Mejía. A chapel was built there following the re-establishment of relations between the Austrian and Mexican governments.