Sightseeing in Queretaro - what to see. Complete travel guide

Santiago de Queretaro is the capital of the Mexican state of Queretaro. However, as the name of this city is quite long, many people prefer to simply call it Queretaro City. At a glance, this is quite a silent and tranquil settlement with a steady and peaceful lifestyle. In reality, Queretaro City is a vibrant and energetic settlement that charms and attracts foreign guests. If asked to describe the city in just a couple of words, then Queretaro City is a labyrinth of winding cobbled streets, numerous churches, and colorful two-story buildings.

The first settlers appeared in this region approximately in 200 AD. These were Mesoamerican peoples. During the Classic Period, there were two settlements in the area, namely, Toluquilla and Ranas. Several centuries later, the Otomi people settled in the territory of modern Queretaro, forming the Otomi Nation or the Otomi State. The Aztecs captured the region in the 40s of the 15th century. Hernán Pérez Bocanegra y Córdoba from Spain arrived in this land on July 23rd, 1531. Bocanegra is considered the founder of the settlement called Santiago de Queretaro. The town was developing slowly because of the constant attacks of the aboriginal tribes. This fact significantly slowed down the development of Queretaro compared to other towns in the state.

The first monks arrived in Queretaro in 1530. Initially, these were the Franciscans who tried to convert local people to Christianity. They built the first churches and monasteries in the region. Later, the Jesuits joined them. Santiago de Queretaro officially became a town only in 1606. Forty-nine years later, the population of Queretaro consisted exclusively of the Spanish. Other nations had to leave this town. Over the course of seven years, starting from 1810, the fierce battle for independence took place in Queretaro. When the war ended Queretaro was the capital of Mexico until 1823. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Nowadays, this region is widely popular among tourists thanks to the rich architectural heritage of this city. The city is home to one of the major religious landmarks – the Queretaro Cathedral or the St. Philip Neri Cathedral that was built and consecrated in the name of Saint Philip Neri. The first church on this site appeared yet in 1786. It took eighteen years to build it. During the colonial period, the shrine was rebuilt several times. That is why an experienced traveler will quickly notice elements of Baroque and Neoclassic styles in the look of the cathedral.

The Queretaro Cathedral is built from the unusual materials that have a volcanic origin. The gorgeous church consists of one nave, a beautiful cupola, and a tower. A bas-relief with the image of Saint Philip Neri decorates the façade of the main church in Queretaro. The inner décor of the cathedral is modest and elegant at the same time. The central altar definitely deserves a closer look – it is decorated with the bas-relief images of the apostles. The ceiling features multiple religious scenes.

Do you enjoy visiting museums? In Queretaro, tourists can visit the Zacatecana House Museum. This is a true “home” of Mexican painting and applied arts. Nowadays, the exhibited collection offers visitors to make a journey back to the seventeenth century. The Zacatecana House Museum exhibits antique furniture, paintings, glassware, and ceramics of that period. Besides antique treasures, there are modern masterpieces. The museum’s collection is so big and diverse that it required several halls, each of which exhibits items of a similar type.

For example, the first of the twelve halls with antiquities is dedicated to clocks. There are approximately forty different chronometers, including the models that were popular in England, America, France, and Germany. The museum’s collection features clocks from the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. Every month, the museum hosts various concerts and scientific seminars that bring together historians and archaeologists who come to share their knowledge and discoveries. If you want to learn more about the history of the region, check out the schedule of the coming events and masterclasses in the museum.

It is possible to get to Queretaro City from Mexico City. There are daily buses to the capital of the Queretaro State. It will take approximately three hours to reach the city. At the Queretaro bus station, simply catch a taxi to your hotel. As there are no direct flights to Queretaro from most European countries, travelers can fly to Mexico City first and then take a domestic flight to this city. By the way, most tourists have to take a connecting flight to Mexico City with a stop in a large European or American city.