Do you know the way to San Miguel ???

Voted one of the worlds' top 20 

travel destinations by TRAVEL & LEISURE magazine 

San Miguel is a magical weave of                                  Foreign yet familiar

                                                                                               Ancient yet modern

                                                                                               Third world yet *****

San Miguel is for LOVERS...

Lovers of Architecture

Few places in the world 

have been able to maintain their original character 

-age gracefully- 

and allow the best 

of the 21st century to blend seamlessly with the 'old ways'

 San Miguel de Allende...

two hours north of Mexico City...

6,600 feet above sea level...

has magically done that

Colorful vines tumble from roof tops

Buildings date back to the early 17th century

and old traditions are maintained

Laundry is done by hand 

in communal wash tubs

 Deliveries are made on the back of a burro

Lovers of History

Historically important ,the birthplace of Ignacio Allende

leader of the Mexican independence movement in the 

early 19th century

San Miguel was the first municipality declared independent of Spain

The 18th century home of Ignacio Allende

on the corner of the main square opposite the

parish church

LA PARROQUIA 

Unique in Mexico,

 the facade of the church was 

inspired by postcard images of european churches

DESIGN-FISHER-WEISMAN

The Neo-Gothic creation can be seen 

from almost any rooftop in town

Get a good "taste" of San Miguel

 from the rooftop terrace at La Posadita

famous for the green Pozole

San Miguel flourished from the silver trade 

for three centuries and then became a forgotten ghost town 

By the early 20th century much of the town was in ruins.

 ABANDONED 

until it was rediscovered by 

American artist,  Sterling Dickinson,  in 1938 who established

The Instituto Allende in an old hacienda

opening art classes that began attracting artists from all over the world

Lovers of  the Arts

Wall mural 

INSTITUTO ALLENDE

In the 1950s Diego Rivera and David Siquieros,

founders of  Mexican Muralism,

were regular visitors

PORTRAIT OF MATILDA

by

DIEGO RIVERA

now on display at 

The Hotel Matilda

Siquieros Mural 

Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes

Institute walls are covered in mid-century murals

Art classes are still taught at both institutes and San Miguel
continues to attract artists ,writers, and musicians 

MARY RAPP
90 years young and going strong in her studio at

The Aurora
Formerly a muslin weaving mill 
converted to
  shops , studios, art galleries and restaurants


TIMO
by
Rodrigo de La Sierra


Bi-Monthly art shows are held in the Parque Juarez
on the second and fourth Saturday of each month
Price is in PESOS
(divide by 13 and then start to bargain)


Narrow cobbled streets climb the hilly terrain


A  UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
 since 2008
electrical, telephone and optic cable have been 
buried beneath the cobbles
and many restrictions apply to building 

Colors are strictly regulated


to maintain the colonial authenticity


Original walls must be maintained 
and incorporated into all renovations

 

Local materials are used in construction 

all done by  skilled hand labor

Stark colonial facades don't even hint at

what lies beyond their protective front walls

Lovers of Design 

CASA TRES LIONESS

Glorious homes, many available for weekly rentals

fully staffed,  to give you a real feeling for living in San Miguel

Private home tours are available weekly

THE COURTYARD AT WABI

The creation of designer Ted Wolter

WABI is the newest arrival of fine shops 

Ted's style is  

a mix of mid century modern, contemporary pieces 

made of reclaimed timbers, and scattered primitive antiques

displayed in restored surroundings 

The best of all worlds

WABI's walls stripped of plaster reveal 

straw and adobe bricks 

laid in alternating rows with local cobbles

reminiscent of stacks of handwoven rugs

at the Mercado de Artesenias

Lovers of  The Hunt 

 (aka shopping)

Handwoven rugs 

made to your design and specification

inexpensively in just a few short days

hand carved wooden kitchen tools at the market

Handmade ceramics at TRINITATE right next door to The Parrochia

Antiques

Architectural salvage on the road to Dolores Hidalgo

Transportation home is not impossible

but you will need to make arrangements

RLF@los-lopez.com

I couldn't resist- 

one for herbs  by my kitchen door

the other destined to become a powder room sink

On the road to Dolores Hidalgo

where Talaveras is handpainted on everything from urns 

to dinner plates

Design your own  

Laura Bush has sets made as wedding gifts

Highly skilled craftsmen have the capabilities to

make intricately designed furniture

The range of design options available 

in light fixtures will blow your mind

So many unique sources are tucked in 

along all the streets of the historical district

Serapes and ponchos take on a whole new aesthetic

recreated by the Coleman family , formerly of Chicago.

Fabricated by local artisans of the finest luxury textiles

displayed in  beautifully restored interiors of a

colonial era house

Serapes are the perfect weight for the temperate climate

of San Miguel

There is a rainy season in San Miguel

and when it rains it pours

Water gushes over cobbled streets like white water 

but in a flash 

it's over and done

the cobbles are spotless

everyone is back on the streets

and it's business as usual

Lovers of local color

Lovers of FUN

Weekly celebrations and festivals 

Just plain  LOVERS

So many romantic choices of places to stay 

From B&B's  and  luxury hotels... 

         

HOTEL MATILDA

One of the singularly new and chicly modern buildings 

constructed in SMA in 2010

The Hotel

Villa Santa Monica

formerly a private hacienda  home

TO

Living the San Miguel life by renting a private residence

CASA ACANTO

Tequila is the beverage of choice

It's not the tequila that makes your ears ring

 in San Miguel

it's church bells peeling at all hours

INSTITUTO de MUSICA

The oldest bull ring in Mexico and Latin America

disappears from view right in the middle of town.

Blood sport holds no appeal to me

But had to go see

Jorge Jesus Gleason

aka

"EL GLISON"

I kid you not !

The pageantry is beautiful

Bolero jacket- hot pink capes

and hot 

Inspirations

HAMISH BOWELS

Editor-at-Large

VOGUE

Rock concerts are also held in the
Plaza Del Torres

The stands fill with fans of all ages

All food groups are enhanced with fresh squeezed lime

Lovers of good wines, good food, good design

Breakfast at LAVANDA is also a feast for the eyes

 Try the Fish Tacos at lunch

Recently opened by former graphic designers

the food at Lavanda is as delicious as it is gorgeous

LAVANDA

Tucked into a narrow courtyard spilling with

greenery has the feel of old Mexico

Another unique dining experience 

MEZCALERIA

is "the new kid on the block"

The creation of a couple of young industrial designers

the interiors are stark minimalist 

Served are all kinds of Mezcal

and an assortment of Tapas dishes

A stack of vine ripened juicy tomatoes 

with fresh mozzarella

and basil in a syrup of balsamic vinegar

Absolutely fresh and SO delicious

aside from reflecting the design background

 of the designer turned chef

Always a favorite

THE RESTAURANT

Chef, Donnie Masterson brought global comfort food to San Miguel 

after learning from the best in NYC

THURSDAY NIGHT

is

BURGER NIGHT

RESERVATIONS A MUST

Mingle with the locals and you are likely to be invited

into one of the private homes.

For another taste of San Miguel 

Ginger Margaritas 

at 

La Sirena Gorda

 Know why the Sirena is GORDA ?

DO NOT MISS 

Chamorro

braised pork shank

For a light breakfast or afternoon pastry

PETIT FOUR

The creation of Paco Cardena, the talented chef 

also offers cooking classes at his home

You don't have to love to cook to love Paco's class

Your day begins with a trip to the market

Be introduced to all the very best vendors

San Miguel 

                                          a feast for all the senses

Looking for love.....

Do you know the way to San Miguel ?

Salute !

Rela