| The origin of the name
'Querétaro' is uncertain. It may come from an Otomí
phrase meaning 'the great ball game' or from a word in the Púrhépecha
language which meant 'place of stones.'
Mining contributed to the wealth of the state capital,
one of Mexico's colonial jewels. UNESCO
declared the historic center a World Heritage Site. The population
is about 650,000.
NATURAL WORLD
City parks include Querétaro 2000 and Los Alcanfores
near the old train station. Several of the parks and plazas have
free wi-fi!
CULTURAL WORLD
The historic center boasts baroque churches, temples
and mansions showcasing graceful balconies and elaborate facades.
The San Agustin Monastery serves as the Museum of
Art and the Convent of San Francisco houses the Regional Museum
of Querétaro.
CRAFTS
The main plaza is also a great place for shopping
with street vendors selling all types of handicrafts. Casa Queretana
de la Artesania is a government-operated shop in the plaza that
showcases a variety of crafts.
HISTORY LESSONS
Querétaro was founded on July 25, 1531.
In 1847 Querétaro was made the capital of the
Mexican Republic, and just one year later the peace treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo was signed, ending the Mexican-American War.
In 1867 this was the last capital of the Emperor of
the Mexican Empire, Maximilliano the First, who was appointed to
this position by the Napolean II of France. His Imperial Conservative
Forces were defeated by the Liberal Republican forces, and Maximilliano
was executed on the Cerro de Campanas (Hill of Bells), just west
of downtown.
In 1917 (and February 5 to be exact), the Constitution
of México was signed in the Teatro de la Republica.
NEARBY
An hour south from Querétaro is the Peña
de Bernal, a massive basalt rock that erupts from the landscape.
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