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Offered languages
- English
Walk the historic streets of San Miguel de Allende and uncover the fascinating stories, secret histories, and colorful characters that most visitors never discover. Put in your earbuds and listen to two local story tellers recount the history of San Miguel de Allende, where every plaza, doorway, and church tower has a story waiting to be told. On this self-guided walking audio tour, there is no group. No schedule. Just you, your headphones, and the story of San Miguel.
You’ll discover the story behind the iconic landmarks of SMA such as the city’s most recognizable landmark, the pink neo-Gothic façade of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel. You will enter the church as visit century old icons and hear their stories. You will hear about the famous local families—the Allendes, the Canals, and the Aldamas and the father of Mexican Independence, Father Miguel Hidalgo. Learn about the Silver Trail that passed through San Miguel, bringing it great prosperity in the 18th century.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The Parroquia is just south of the main Jardin in San Miguel de Allende. The meeting point is out in front of the Parroquia. There will be no guide there as this is a self-guided tour.
Itinerary
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1Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
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 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..
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Ignacio Allende House (Casa de Ignacio Allende)
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 pass through San Miguel. It brought prosperity to San Miguel in the 18th century.
16 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Jardin Allende
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.
12 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Casa del Mayorazgo de Canal
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.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Bellas Artes
The guests will enter the courtyard and walk through the gardens or find a seat and listen to the story of the buildings beginnings 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 it 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 pieces of this genius that remain there to this day. At the end of audio recording # 10, the tour will be finished.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- 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
Additional info
- 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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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