Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro
Santiago de Querétaro is a beautiful colonial city. During the time of the conquest and the establishment of New Spain, it was a very important government center. This provincial location of deep-rooted traditions is an important industrial center although its main charm is the quality of the people who live here.
The strong missionary campaign that was executed in the city can be seen in the architectural remains of the 18 missions built in Querétaro. Today this area is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The historical center of the city should not be missed. Here you can see the Sangremal, the Santa Rosa de Viterbo Temple and the Alameda in an area where the past coexists with one of the mightiest cities in the country. Along the way, you will see monuments like: the Aqueduct, a grand example of civil architecture that allowed water to be transported from the springs east of the city and helped with the healthy development of a large city. The Aqueduct is made up of 72 arcs, the highest of which is 23 meters, and brings the water into a public system. The final point of the Aqueduct is located at the highest point in the city, the Santa Cruz Convent. One of the water source points highlighted on the Aqueduct is Neptune. Other important points on the Aqueduct are the Ahorcados on Zaragoza Ave., Santo Domingo and the Hebe Fountain in the Benito Zenea Garden.
Other architecture in the city is worth noting, like the Casas Reales. It is located in the Plaza de Armas and is the site where Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez called for the beginning of the independence movement. Today it is the Government Palace. The Casa de Ecala, with its magnificent façade of beautifully worked quarry, is located in this same plaza. La Fuente de los Perros (The Dog Fountain) is named for the four dogs that surround the column that supports the image of Querétaro's benefactor, Marqués de la Villa del Villar del Águila. The Casa de los Conde de Regla or the Casa de los Cinco Patios and the Casa de la Marquesa are other examples of beautiful colonial architecture.
Querétaro is a city that honors the past, offering everything necessary for an excellent vacation.