Mexico 2019 - More Queretaro

One of the main attractions in Queretaro is the aqueduct.  "Completed in 1738, legend has it that the aqueduct was commissioned by the Marquis del Villa del Alguia as a grandiose testament of his undying love for a beautiful — yet unattainable — woman named Clarissa who happened to be a nun."  The aqueduct is 1.78k long, as high 30m in places and supplied the city with fresh water for centuries.  It still supplies water for fountains in the parks and such.  

The Train Station

Around town

Panorama of the city

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=utjiQ-WVKxc

One evening on my way home after dining and listening to bands that play outdoors at the fancier restaurants downtown, I heard the sound of guitars and voices coming out of a doorway.  I peeked in and there was a group of maybe twelve guys of all ages sitting in a circle and playing and singing away.  They saw me looking in and motioned to me to come in and pulled up a chair and I listened to them sing and play for a while.  Seems that it's a regular gathering and I felt lucky to be included.  They played with verve and gusto!
 

I quite enjoyed Queretaro.  For being a large city, it had a laid back feel and wasn't at all crowded, at least in the centro.  I'm sure that in the commercial areas and neighbourhoods it's a different story.  There was the usual big public mercado where I went for lunch both days I was there.  Delicious tacos de guisados, a sort of saucy taco.  Delicious salsas.  

It would be worth coming back to Queretaro.

Mexico 2019 - Queretaro

I've had it in my mind to revisit Queretaro for a number of years and made tha a reality on this trip to Mexico.  Founded by the Spanish in 5131, Santiago de Querétaro is some 200k north of CDMX and is an important business hub with lots of trnasnational corporations and new development. Queretaro has a population of around, is the capital of the state by the same name and is noteworthy for some major historical events.  Queretaro is considered one of the cradles of the independence movement and much revolutionary scheming took place there.  It is also where Emperor Maximillian ended his short rule over Mexico in front of a firing squad after his defeat by the insurgents.  

I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of tourist presence and was pleasantly surprised to discover that Queretaro is relatively undiscovered.  It has a lovely, large colonial centre, many fine museums, some interesting antiquities and a lively night life.  

My street

View from the rooftop terrace at the no-nonsense Hostal Itza where I stayed of the Templo de Santo Domingo.

El Museo de Arte de Querétaro - Queretaro Art Museum promotes the arts in many forms, e.g, dance, music, film, educational programs, as well as the galleries that display local and international artists.  I saw a band playing good Cuban music there one afternoon.

 

I liked the building itself more than the art that was on exhibit.

The museum of Revolutionary History

Benito Juarez - Mexico's most loved president.  

 

Francisco I. Madero and Venustiano Carranza, two leaders in the Mexican Revolution.

Miguel Hidalgo, the priest who is popularly credited for the first, big public outcry for independence from Spain, known as "El Grito de Dolores", The Cry of Dolores, called out from the church where he was the priest in the town of Dolores.

You might have noticed that I like ornate church interiors.  There's something about them that resonates with me, perhaps a psychedelic sensibility.  So much to engage the eye.  This is the Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo right behind my hostal. 

 Queretaro's fledgling bike share

More Queretaro next time