Aguascalientes, Mexico
Tourism

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pleasant and Aguascalientes lies surrounded by orchards and haciendas where fighting bulls are reared. Renowned for its pottery, embroideries and woven goods, it has also long been famous for its Feria de San Marcos, the colourful spring festival which has inspired many a folk song.

History

It took the invading Spaniards until 1575, and then only at the end of a hard-fought campaign against the semi-nomadic native population, before they were able to establish a town here, bestowing on it the melodious-sounding name of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de las Aguas Calientes (the latter part, meaning "warm waters", reflecting the numerous thermal springs near by). For a long time it was little more than an outpost against hostile Indian tribes. When in 1857 a state of the Republic was created under the same name, Aguascalientes became the capital. As a major rail junction it was hotly contested during the years of revolution (1910-20), passing repeatedly from one side to the other.

Aguascalientes is also known as La Ciudad Perforada - "the perforated city" - on account of the labyrinth of passages extending beneath it. These catacombs, carved from the rock by pre-colonial Indians of unknown origin, are not at present open to the public.