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...
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
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
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
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
