Surroundings, San Miguel de Allende

The interior of the convent church of Santuario de Jesús Nazereno and the various chapels are decorated with frescos, mainly by Miguel Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre, depicting attractive traditional themes. Behind the high altar, in the Camarín, there are sculptures of the Virgin Mary and the Apostles. The Rosary Chapel on the right has frescos of the Battle of Lepanto and leads to a Camarín with a ceiling in the form of a shell.Every year the town is the destination of pilgrims from all over Mexico. Two weeks before Easter Sunday the statue of the Christ of Señor de la Columna is carried in a grand nocturnal procession into the church of San Juan de Dios in San Miguel de Allende. On the third Sunday in July a local religious festival with Indian dances takes place in Atotonilco.

Atotonilco (Náhuatl: "place of the hot waters"), a convent founded by Father Felipe Neri de Alfaro in 1740, is a popular place of pilgrimage with a much-revered statue of the Redeemer. It lies approximately 15km/9.3mi north of the town and about 3km/2mi from the road. After the proclamation of Mexico's independence from Spain the priest Miguel Hidalgo interrupted his march at the head of his hastily-assembled army here. Taking the painting of the Virgin of Guadelupe from the church, he fixed it to his banner. In this way the Madonna became the patroness of the Mexican freedom movement.

Take the road to Celaya and turn right to Guanajuato past the Presa de Allende reservoir. It is then 15km/9.3mi to the archaeological site of Cañada de la Virgen which, until recently, was relatively unknown. To date, finds include an 18 m (60 ft) high pyramid, a temple, terraces and an avenue. Datings made so far indicate that this site existed between ad 800 and 1000 and was probably under Toltec influence.

Very close to San Miguel de Allende, mainly in the direction of Dolores Hidalgo, are a number of thermal baths.

A few kilometres outside San Miguel in the Querétaro direction a road leads off left towards Dr Mora. Follow the signs to Dr. Mora through Los Rodriguez and overhighway 57. About 5km past highway 57 there is a crossroads. Go left toward Pozos and San Luis de la Paz. About 15km up the mountain you enter the cobblestone streets of Pozos. Go straight till see the town square and church. From here it is a further 10km/6mi south to the town of Mineral de Pozos.Pozos now has about 3,000 people including about 50 full or part time expats. In addition to the mines, Pozos is known for pre-hispanic musical instruments that can be found at many craft shops.