World Heritage Identification Number: 482
World Heritage since: 1988
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇲🇽 Mexico
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Exploring the Rich History and Architectural Wonders of the Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines
The Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Situated in central Mexico, this charming city serves as the capital of the State of Guanajuato and is nestled within a narrow valley, giving it a distinctive layout with narrow, winding streets and alleys. Some of these passageways are so tight that they cannot accommodate vehicles, while others consist of long staircases ascending the surrounding hillsides. A significant portion of the city's thoroughfares is either partially or entirely underground, adding to the town's intriguing character.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato became the world's leading silver-extraction centre in the 18th century. This past can be seen in its 'subterranean streets' and the 'Boca del Inferno', a mineshaft that plunges a breathtaking 600 m. The town's fine Baroque and neoclassical buildings, resulting from the prosperity of the mines, have influenced buildings throughout central Mexico. The churches of La Compañía and La Valenciana are considered to be among the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America. Guanajuato was also witness to events which changed the history of the country.
Encyclopedia Record: Guanajuato (city)
Guanajuato is a municipality in central Mexico and the capital of the State of Guanajuato. It is part of the macroregion of the Bajío. It is located in a narrow valley, which makes its streets narrow and winding. Most are alleys that cars cannot pass through, and some are long sets of stairs up the mountainsides. Many of the city's thoroughfares are partially or fully underground. The historic center has numerous small plazas and colonial-era mansions, churches, and civil constructions built using pink or green sandstone. The city historic center and the adjacent mines were proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.Additional Site Details
Area: 2,167.5 hectares
(ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions
Coordinates: 21.01694 , -101.25556
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© Anders Lagerås, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
