the wealth of this city derives from the silver mines nearby. Today nearly 10% oft he population are us americans and canadians, and this explains the extremely high density of galleries, interior shops and excellent restaurants. Soon there will be a short video on my blog about the art walk in the “fabrica la aurora”
Up to 40% of all the silver in the world derives from the province guanajuato and from the beginning oft he 16th century the spanish crown gained an immense wealth. Mostly indios were forced to work in the mines and as a “rewarding” they were given only a food ration. In the 18th century guanajuato was the richest city in mexico and the world leader in silver mining. Back in this time the most magnificent buildings and churches were build.
Whatever, the time of the “holy” inquisition wasn´t funny, especially for the indigenous population. The cruelty of the conquerors inspired the imagination in creating new torture instruments. Some are on display in a small museum (near the silver mines of valenciana).
My friends do know how critical i´m in behalf of religions and churches, but here is a story that needs to be posted:
“A legend tells,, that the spanish guy, who had opened the san ramon-mine nearby, has promised to holy san cayetano to build a church to his honor when the mine makes him wealthy”
But here comes my favorite: “Another telling wants to know that conde de rul, the silver baron from valenciana, wanted to build the most magnificent of all churches in the style of churrigierimus in expiation for torturing all his mine-workers.“
Probably the daily laborers of conde de rul had to build the church for a “god bless you” – anyhow it was for a needy cause.
ok, ok, to talk about punctuality as a german, it can quickly become embarrassing. But when the lunch break already goes until 5pm, then they might not let wait the 50 people who want to have look inside for 30 minutes. For taking photographs you have to pay extra, also ok, but please don´t fence off all places from which you might get good perspectives.
This theater was built from1873 till1903 and the former dictator porfirio diaz was responsible for the flashy interior decoration
During the four days we had been to gunajuato, we witnessed four of those parades. Here –in advance- a short parade in the small village inyerbabuena close to guanajuato’s. the religiosity seems to be deeply rooted in the society, – anyhow with quite a lot joie de vivre.
On one of the municipal cemeteries they had opened tombs in order to create space for new dead bodies and they discovered grotesque mummified bodies, even they were just a few decades old. A rumor says that the poeple from guanajauto have a hang to macabre and morbid things, well, i guess there could be a cohesion.
In this museum they display shelves of the graves as well with inscriptions such as names, death year and usually r.i.p. (rest in peace). but now the mummies are -with the pants down- on display in the museum and be admired by hordes of school children. up to a size of 4 feet they are allowed the enter the museum for free and adults over 60 get ghoulishly a discount.
