Irapuato Attractions

20km/13mi north-west of Salamanca on the MEX 45D is Irapuato (1795 m (5891 ft); population 327,000; fiestas: February 15th, Foundation Day; April 2nd, Strawberry Mass). This rapidly-growing town is a centre of agriculture and of probably the largest strawberry-growing region in the world. It also has a number of interesting buildings including the beautiful Neo-Classical Palacio Municipal (Town Hall) with its enormous patio, the church of El Hospital (Churrigueresque façade, early 18th c.) and the mid-18th c. La Parroquia (parish church) with its richly-embellished doorway. The church of San Francisco houses two notable paintings: "Virgin of Guadelupe" by Cabrera, and "Virgin of the Apocalypse" by Tresguerras.