What to see in Durango in a nutshell?
As you are about to witness, the itineraries that Durango offers will take you to locations that are rich in history as well as fun and excitement.
Durango is one of the 31 states that, together with the Federal District, make up Mexico's 32 states. Its name is of Basque origin and means "beyond the water". Among the main cities are Durango, Gómez Palacio and Lerdo. Visiting this state is always an experience. Your tour can start at the Cathedral Basilica Menor, which is one of the most important and beautiful architectural works in all of northern Mexico.
Both in its exterior and interior it preserves a large collection of sacred art, in which colonial jewels stand out such as the image of the Immaculate Conception from the XVII century, the choir stalls carved in cedar wood and gold plated, two monumental organs (one German and the other Puebla) from the XVIII and XIX centuries, respectively, a confessional from the XVIII century, precious French chandeliers and beautiful oil paintings from the XVII century. In addition, annexed to the building is a museum with a vast collection of sacred art.
After visiting the Cathedral, another option is the Regional Museum of Durango or "El Aguacate", which was built during the second half of the 19th century. In 14 rooms, this museum gathers a simple sample of the outstanding antecedents of the zone; it presents aspects of its environment, archaeology, colonial and independent period, the foreign interventions, the Porfiriato, and the Revolution. It also has a simple art gallery that exhibits a collection of canvases painted by the famous Oaxacan artist of the 18th century, Miguel Cabrera.
Continue your tour until you reach the Ricardo Castro Theater. Its facade is carved in quarry stone with a neoclassical style. The architectural set it emphasizes its ornamentation of French style, as well as the decoration of its balconies and a medallion with the image of Federico Chopin. After its remodeling, the theater received its name in honor of the pianist and composer born in the municipality of Nazas, Durango, Ricardo Castro.
It is currently the most important cultural and artistic stage in the city, offering seating for more than 1,000 people. The best plays, operas, dance, and musical concerts are presented here. After visiting these three cultural venues, it is time to have the first approach to the traditional food of Durango: caldillo durangueño, which is the oldest and most famous dish in the state.
After this short stop, it's time to resume your tour. Head to Andador Constitución, which has architecture reminiscent of the capital's majestic past. The Andador Constitución has become a traditional promenade for the people of Durango as it has become a real option for tourism and commerce.
After a quiet walk along the Andador, you can reach the Cerro de los Remedios viewpoint, which offers a spectacular view of the city. It has walkways, stairways, gardens, and thematic rooms, and where this cable car station connects with the heart of the Historic Center.
Built at the end of the 18th century, the Zambrano Palace is currently the State Government Palace. A year after Zambrano's death, the mansion was rented to the Government of the Intendancy to establish there the offices of the Spanish crown and the house of the Intendant of the Province; after the consummation of the independence, it became the seat of the State Government and residence of the governors. In 1867 it housed Don Benito Juárez in his pilgrimage through the north of the Republic.
Just in this area, you will find a large number of temples that describe the development and architectural evolution of the city. Crossing what used to be the old Acequia Grande (today Dolores del Rio Boulevard), you will find the Temple of San Juan Bautista de Analco.
And if it is about history and legend, you will find a good representative in the Temple of Santa Ana, built between the first half of the eighteenth century and the early nineteenth century. Due to the height of its bell tower, it was a strategic site in the defense of the city. This is attested to by the cannon and rifle impacts that can still be seen on its columns.
In addition, it is important to remember that Durango not only has historical places to visit, but it also has a great geographic diversity to practice several extreme sports such as kayaking, mountain biking, and rappelling, among others. It also has imposing ravines, a great desert where the famous Zone of Silence is located, known for its magnetic properties (similar to the Bermuda Triangle), as well as the unique fauna and flora of that region.
As you can see, Durango's routes will take you to places full of history, fun, and adventure.
