Nothing could have prepared me for my first sight of Guanajuato as seen above. This town, population 141,000, is built on steep hillsides on top of subterranean tunnels that used to be the river that ran through the valley. The houses are crammed together so tightly that in most cases there is not enough room for a road, just an alley or stairway. The roads go underground, through the mountain and under the town. The really neat thing about this town is the way the home owners have painted their houses, making it very charming and picturesque. Below is a picture of part of the underground road and walkway.
Silver was discovered in Guanajuato by the Spanish in the late 1700's and one of the mines accounted for 2/3 of the world's silver production in the 1800's. There are still a few mines in production, and you can easily purchase silver jewelry in stores and the market or just from vendors on the street.
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2 comments:
What a colourfull town. It loooks really beautiful, I feel like packing up and go there. I even find the underground road and walkway does look very inviting. About the peep hole? Better open that one only a crack. Very handy to get your eyes blinded with pepper or spray when you do not expect it... by some crook. All in all I love Mexico by what I seen sofar from your pictures. thanks for sharing.
I remember those tunnels in that colorful city... very cool.
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