Museo Casa de Allende
Museo Casa de Allende is located across the street from La Parroquia. It is a two story, colonial style house built in the 16th century. It is the birthplace of Ignacio de Allende, considered one of the Fathers of Independence. The museum houses artifacts such as prehistoric dinosaur bones, pre-Columbian era pottery, and weapons used to fight the war of independence. As you walk through the house, you see how the kitchen would have looked and how the stables were inside the house. You get a feeling of how the house might have looked when Ignacio Allende lived there.
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Casa del Mayorazgo de Canal
Casa del Mayorazgo is located on the west side of the plaza principal. It is often referred to as the “Count’s house†Even though Manuel Tomas de la Canal was not a count. Today it houses a bank but it is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. It is a very good example of colonial architecture. There is a two story grand facade and wonderful arched porches. Casa del Mayorazgo de Canal also has a large collection of paintings.
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House of the Inquisitor and Jail of the Inquisition
The House of the Inquisitor is located at Calle Cuadrante and Calle Hernandez Macias and the Jail of the Inquisition is across the street. It is the house, or office, of the men from the Catholic Church, who were in charge of the Inquisition. Though the Mexican Inquisition, starting in 1571, was thought to be less severe than the Spanish inquisition, they still tortured people. Those accused by the Church of bigamy, prostitution, heresy, blasphemy, were jailed across the street until their destiny was decided upon.
On the Inquisitor’s house is a green stone cross set on blue tiles. This symbolized the Inquisitor’s office.
On a wall of the Jail of the Inquisition, is a mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974). He was a famous Mexican muralist, who liked to portray events of the Mexican Revolution. Today, this building is the El Centro de Crecimiento, a center for handicap children.
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Jardin Principal (Main Garden)
The Jardin is located in the heart of San Miguel, across from La Parroquia. People gather here, especially on weekends, to meet with friends, eat homemade ice cream and tacos from local vendors while children play amongst the crowd. By night, mariachi musicians play love songs, by request, while couples and families stroll thru the gardens. On festive days, the jardin is the prime location to watch fireworks and indigenous dancers in costume. The best seat in the house is always on top of dad’s shoulders.
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Paseo del Chorro (The Water Spring)
This water spring was originally used by local indigenous tribes before being discovered by the Spanish in the 16th Century. It is now a quite and shady park which contains a public washing area.
