San Luis Potosi: A City with Masterful Colonial Architecture, Heir to History and Tradition
If you want to travel to a different place, how about colonial cities or where you can have direct contact with nature, San Luis Potosi is a great choice.
The city of San Luis Potosi, capital of the state of the same name, is famous for its superb architecture, both colonial and 19th century, and was inhabited before the Conquest by Huachichil, Chichimeca, and Huasteca tribes.
Founded on November 3, 1592, by the Spaniards who discovered the once very rich mineral of Cerro de San Pedro, the town was considered in 1630 the third most important city in New Spain.
It has been the scene of many historical events, such as the entrance of President Benito Juarez in 1803 when he declared San Luis the capital of the Republic, and the imprisonment of Francisco I. Madero in 1910. Today, San Luis Potosi is a modern and thriving city with first-class services to offer to all who visit it.
San Luis Potosi Attractions
San Luis Potosi has many attractions: temples, museums, public buildings, squares and gardens, traditions, and popular fairs, without forgetting its exquisite gastronomy and beautiful handicrafts. The Plaza de Armas or Hidalgo Garden is the main center of activities, flanked by the Government Palace, of neoclassical style, the Municipal Palace, and the imposing Cathedral, with a peculiar baroque facade, ornamented with sculptures of the apostles, carved in Carrara marble. The Plaza has wide walkways and gardens and, both on Thursday afternoons and Sundays, its atmosphere is enlivened by the music of the State Band.
Another interesting place is the Plaza de los Fundadores, a symbol of the place where the city was born; on its west side is the neoclassical 'pineapple' building and to the north the chapels of Loreto and the Componía de Jesús, connected by a magnificent carved wooden gate, and the Central Building of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. These three buildings were erected by the Jesuits.
In the Plaza del Carmen you can admire the Templo del Carmen, with its impressive façade carved in quarry stone, and the Teatro de la Paz; there is also a beautiful house from the late 19th century, which currently houses the Museo Nacional de la Máscara, a place worth visiting. As for religious architecture, the baroque temples of San Francisco and San Agustín, San Juan de Dios, and the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, with a slender and elegant façade and the tallest towers in the city, are interesting.
The chronicle of San Luis Potosi is jealously guarded in its interesting museums, such as the Regional Potosino, which exhibits objects of great archaeological, historical and artistic value. On the top floor, you will find the Aranzazú Chapel, with its beautiful baroque façade and ornate pilasters; here concerts and conferences are presented.
To learn about the handicraft production of the different regions of the State, visit the Regional Museum of Popular Art, where objects from other parts of the Republic are also exhibited. The Othón House, the Potosino Bullfighting Center, the House of Culture, installed in a splendid neoclassical construction from the beginning of this century and the Cultural Diffusion Center of the Potosino Institute of Fine Arts are also places we recommend you to visit.
We have already mentioned some public buildings but you should also visit the famous Caja Real, a beautiful baroque construction, declared a colonial monument in 1935; the Palacio Monumental, of neoclassical style, the site where Madero was imprisoned and the Caja de Agua or Conservera, which received water from the Cañada del Lobo through a long aqueduct, has been designated due to its beauty as a symbol of the city.
Quiet places with extensive green areas are the Alameda Juan Sarabia, the Juan N. Sánchez Park, and the Tangamanga Recreational and Cultural Center; the latter also has a planetarium, museum, and convention center, dance school, and the magnificent open-air City Theater.
Surroundings of San Luis Potosi
At 48 km from San Luis, by the highway to Mexico is located Santa Maria del Rio, a famous population cradle of the rebozo, besides producing the furniture and inlaid boxes mentioned before; visit here the School of Weaving of the Rebozo, surely you will like it. The Sanctuary of El Saucito is a Byzantine-style construction carved in pink quarry stone; inside you will find some murals by Juan Blanco, which tell the story of Our Lord of Saucito and, on its main altar, the beautiful sculpture of the Lord of Saucito.
Approximately 55 km from the city is the Gogorrón Vacation Center, with stupendous thermal waters with healing properties; it has all the necessary services for you to enjoy a pleasant stay, El Cerro de San Pedro is an old town where you can visit the Templo del Señor de San Pedro and the Chapel of San Jerónimo, You can get there by taking the road to Río Verde for 8 km, where you will find the deviation of only 19 km, which will lead you to the site.
Handicrafts
They are very famous, both nationally and internationally, for the beautifully colored silk and artisan silk shawls from Potosí. Also produced are furniture and inlaid boxes, basketry works, ixtle objects, thread backpacks, folders, bedspreads, tablecloths, and blankets. Handicrafts from all over the state, as well as from different regions of the Republic, can be purchased in the many stores of the industry or the Regional Museum of Popular Art.
Festivals and fairs
In San Luis, traditional, religious, artistic, cultural, and sporting events are held throughout the year, such as the Holy Week celebrations, which culminate on Good Friday with the impressive Procession of Silence.
Among the popular festivities is the Potosina National Fair in August, with all kinds of presentations. The Primavera Potosina Art Festival, the National Dance Festival, the International Cervantino Festival (San Luis Potosi Extension), and the Potosi Composer's Week are held in August.
Sports events include the Tangamanga International Marathon, held in August, and the International Open Tennis Tournament.
Food
There are many typical dishes in the city of San Luis Potosi and, in general, throughout the state, since each region produces different ingredients, which allows for a great variety. During your visit we recommend you taste the traditional tacos and enchiladas potosinos, gorditas del Saucito, tacos Camila, and the delicious cold meat.
As for desserts, it will be difficult to choose from a wide variety, such as gorditas de cuajada, pumpkin tacha, almond, pinon, or walnut cheeses, and the famous chanchanquillas, piloncillo caramel tortillas with pepita, peanut, or sesame seeds.
Services
Parallel to the colonial and neoclassical architecture, the city has modern services, such as an airport, railroads, bus station, hotels for all possibilities, and restaurants of typical or international cuisine, as well as stadiums, sports, horse and golf clubs, racetracks, bullfighting rings, and charro ranches.
