Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes is the state capital. This colonial treasure protects its history of more than 400 years and offers visitors an experience that harmoniously joins the old and the modern.
The name Aguascaleintes came from the abundance of hot springs that exist in this area. The Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de las Aguas Calientes was founded on October 22, 1575 as a result of the need to protect and offer asylum to those using the Ruta de La Plata (the Silver Route), the route between Zacatecas and Mexico City.
Among its attractions are the Government Palace, whose interior is graced with the four murals painted by Osvaldo Barra, the baroque-Solomonic-style Cathedral Basilica, and the colonial-style House of Culture.
The city has a special colonial feel that can be appreciated in the central Aguascalientes Museum. The works of artists such as Saturnino Herrán, Jesús F. Contreras and Gabriel Fernández Ledezma are displayed here. The José Guadalupe Posada Museum, in the traditional Triana Neighborhood, exhibits samples of the vast work of its namesake. Posada is world-famous for his work, La Catrina. The Cristo Negro, with the inexplicable growth of his left arm, is worshipped in the Encino Temple. Within the temple are walls decorated with the monumental oil paintings, Vía Crucis.
You can also visit the Exoplaza, the Plaza Monumental, considered to be the most beautiful bullfighting ring in Latin America, Parque Héroes Mexicanas, the Aguascalientes Theater, and the Interactive Science and Technology Discovery Museum, with the largest Omnimax screen in the country among others.
The National San Marcos Fair is recognized as the most important fair in the county and is celebrated during the second half of April and the first week of May. The fair offers rooster fights, running of the bulls, charreadas, and cattle ranching, industrial and commercial exhibits, as well as cultural events and other activities.
Calvillo
Calvillo is one of the more prosperous municipalities in the state. One of the largest attractions is the traditional Guava Fair during the first few days of December.
Famous for its guava production, Calvillo offers some interesting places to visit like the main plaza that dates back to 1778 and was famous for its orange groves. The Señor del Salitre Temple, erected in 1772, is home to some true artistic jewels. Guadalupe Temple, Malpaso Dam, and the cave paintings of Tepozán are other great sites to visit. Very close to these sites is the small town of La Panadera. The women of this community create beautiful embroidered garments.
Sierra del Laurel is an extension of Sierra Fría. Here, professional rock climbers that prefer a higher degree of difficulty, find rocky crags and high mountains of basalt columns.
Rincón de Romos
This small city was founded in 1658 with the purchase of the land that belonged to a property that brought with it the joining of both last names of the seller and buyer, Rincón de Romos. This area is a center for industry, agriculture, and cattle ranching and is favored with earth irrigated by the system that feeds the Calles Dam.
For those who are looking for fun in Rincón de Romos, try the old Saucillo hacienda. It has ponds, pools, an artificial lake, children's games, rowboat rentals, etc. Some monuments worth seeing are the ruins of the old Blas hacienda, now Pabellón de Hidalgo, the Sacillo and San Jacinto haciendas as well as the San José Chapel and the Lutheran Basilica.
For sports activities try the Paseo de la Alameda. It has sports fields, children's games and the Children's Urban Park. One kilometer to the North you'll find the community of Escaleras. Its inhabitants create beautiful sculpture and ornate pieces from coarse onyx stones. During January they celebrate the Señor de las Angustias Festival.
