The Best Historical Sites in Guadalajara, Mexico
Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city and as such, the western capital of Jalisco state is dotted with plenty of places full of historical intrigue, lengthy backstories and world-class architecture. From Catholic edifices to spooky cemeteries, here are the top ten historical sites in Guadalajara you should make time to visit.
Guadalajara Cathedral
Cathedral
Templo Expiatorio
Building, Church
Teatro Degollado
Building, Theatre
Hospicio Cabañas
Building
Palacio de Gobierno
Building
Just set off to one side of Guadalajara’s tranquil but pigeon-filled Plaza de Armas, which itself centres on a delightful wrought iron kiosk, Guadalajara’s Palacio de Gobierno is, as most Government Palace’s are in Mexico, an impressive feat of architecture. Completed in the mid-18th Century, and much like the Hospicio Cabañas, this Baroque edifice also contains a few notable works by muralist José Clemente Orozco.
Rotunda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres
Memorial
If you want to take a break from ogling buildings and really get into the nitty-gritty of Jalisco’s human history, then a stroll around the Rotunda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres is essential. Comprised of a collection of busts – all of famous people from Jalisco – this mini plaza is also a great place to cat-watch and read a book.
Panteón de Belén
Cemetery
For a spookier introduction to Guadalajara history, then dare yourself to take a night time (or daytime) tour of the Panteón de Belén, the city’s most famed cemetery. This graveyard was the site of the first memorials for many of the famous people from Jalisco which can now be seen at the Rotunda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres, and rapidly filled up following numerous epidemics in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Los Arcos de Guadalajara
Building
You’ll almost certainly pass by the Arcos de Guadalajara at least once if you spend any time at all in the city, given that they’re on a main road which connects the centre with one of the Guadalajara bus stations. But why are the ‘Guadalajara Arches’ considered a historical site? Well, they’re Neoclassical, reminiscent of the French Arc de Triomphe and were once supposed to serve as the entranceway to the city. Guadalajara’s rapid expansion had other ideas though.
El Acueducto
Ruins
One of Guadalajara’s lesser-known historic sites comes in the form of El Acueducto, which, as the name suggests, is a simple aqueduct that was intended to separate Guadalajara from Zapopan, a neighbouring municipality. Building started on the structure in 1900 and nowadays it’s bordered by residential buildings.
Casa Zuno
Building
Supposedly designed by four prominent Mexican artists (Dr. Atl, José Guadalupe Zuno, David Siqueiros, and Amado de la Cueva), as well as two architects – Casa Zuno is a 1920s Guadalajara building it would be easy to overlook. Casa Zuno features both tezontle (a reddy-brown volcanic rock) and limestone, simultaneously marrying together the colonial and neoclassical. Bacchus—God of Wine and Revelry—even makes an appearance in one of the top corners.
A previous version of this article was written by Pablo Mares.