Chihuahua Attractions
How to get there
From Mexico City by air (about 2-3 hours), rail (about 30 hours) or bus (about 21 hours).
Chihuahua, capital of the large Mexican state of that name, is attractively located in a valley open to the north but otherwise enclosed on three sides by chains of hills emanating from the Sierra Madre Occidental. Once primarily a mining town, it is now a lively commercial and industrial centre.
History
In pre-Columbian times as well as later, Apaches from Arizona and Comanches from Texas made frequent incursions south, roaming the region.
Early Spanish attempts at settlement and missionising came to nothing, but in 1709 Antonio de Deza y Ulloa successfully founded a community which he christened San Francisco de Cuéllar; the name was changed to San Felipe El Real de Chihuahua (Tarahumara: ''dry place") in 1718. Discoveries of rich deposits of silver made Chihuahua prosperous, though constant attacks by Indians impeded its development. In 1811, after being taken prisoner by troops of the Spanish Crown, Pater Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, father of Mexico's independence, was executed in Chihuahua along with several comrades-in-arms. Both during the war with the U.S. (1846-48) and during the War of Intervention (1862-66), U.S. forces temporarily occupied the city. Benito Juárez also made Chihuahua his base for a time. The riots at the end of 1910, which followed President Porfirio Díaz's re-election and presaged the Revolution, had their roots in the city. In northern Mexico the revolt was led by Abraham Gonzáles and the charismatic ringleader Francisco ("Pancho") Villa. In 1913, having occupied Chihuahua with his "División del Norte", Villa set up his headquarters here.
From Mexico City by air (about 2-3 hours), rail (about 30 hours) or bus (about 21 hours).
Chihuahua, capital of the large Mexican state of that name, is attractively located in a valley open to the north but otherwise enclosed on three sides by chains of hills emanating from the Sierra Madre Occidental. Once primarily a mining town, it is now a lively commercial and industrial centre.
History
In pre-Columbian times as well as later, Apaches from Arizona and Comanches from Texas made frequent incursions south, roaming the region.
Early Spanish attempts at settlement and missionising came to nothing, but in 1709 Antonio de Deza y Ulloa successfully founded a community which he christened San Francisco de Cuéllar; the name was changed to San Felipe El Real de Chihuahua (Tarahumara: ''dry place") in 1718. Discoveries of rich deposits of silver made Chihuahua prosperous, though constant attacks by Indians impeded its development. In 1811, after being taken prisoner by troops of the Spanish Crown, Pater Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, father of Mexico's independence, was executed in Chihuahua along with several comrades-in-arms. Both during the war with the U.S. (1846-48) and during the War of Intervention (1862-66), U.S. forces temporarily occupied the city. Benito Juárez also made Chihuahua his base for a time. The riots at the end of 1910, which followed President Porfirio Díaz's re-election and presaged the Revolution, had their roots in the city. In northern Mexico the revolt was led by Abraham Gonzáles and the charismatic ringleader Francisco ("Pancho") Villa. In 1913, having occupied Chihuahua with his "División del Norte", Villa set up his headquarters here.
Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi
The cathedral of St Francis of Assisi, gracing the Plaza de la Constitución, was built between 1717 and 1826. With its Baroque façade embellished with statues of the twelve apostles there is no more impressive ecclesiastical building in northern Mexico.
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State Regional Museum
The State Regional museum is housed in Quinta Gameros, an early 20th C art nouveau mansion.
Dogs
The tiny hairless Chihuahua dogs ('perritos Chihuahuenses'), which weigh just 600 to 1200 grams (1.5 to 2.5lbs) and have a body temperature of 40°C (104°F), can sometimes be found on sale at the Sunday market. The breed probably originated in Europe or Africa rather than in Chihuahua.
Museum of the Revolution
The Museo Histórico de la Revolución (Museum of the Revolution, also known as the "Pancho Villa Museum"), occupying Quinta Luz, the house where Villa once lived at Calle 10 Norte No. 3014, began as a museum run by the revolutionary leader's family. It is now the responsibility of the Mexican army. In addition to Villa's death mask there is a large collection of memorabilia of the famous bandit and popular hero. This includes weapons, photographs, uniforms, flags, documents and the car in which he was driving when shot.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 17:00 | |
| Open | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Mexican Constitution Day (Día de la Constititución) (February 5)
Mexico - Benito Juárez Birthday (March 21)
Mexico - Battle of Pueblo Day (May 5)
Mexico National Day (September 1)
Mexican Independence Day (September 16)
Mexican Revolution Day (November 20)
Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (December 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Mexican Constitution Day (Día de la Constititución) (February 5)
Mexico - Benito Juárez Birthday (March 21)
Mexico - Battle of Pueblo Day (May 5)
Mexico National Day (September 1)
Mexican Independence Day (September 16)
Mexican Revolution Day (November 20)
Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (December 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Museums
The Museo Casa de Juárez (Ave. Juárez y Calle 3a) has documents, photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to Benito Juárez's stay in the city and the 1857 Constitution, as well as furniture from the period. Items at the Centro Cultural de Chihuahua, housed in a beautiful 19th c. Spanish building at Aldama 430, include pottery from Casas Grandes. Among the other buildings of note are two churches, Santa Rita (1731) and Guadalupe (1826), and the disused, 5583 m (6108 yd)-long aqueduct (1754-1864).
Chihuahua Surroundings
Ciudad Camargo, Mexico
Cuidad Camargo, a little town about 150km/93mi south-east of Chihuahua on the MEX 45, is noted for the curative powers of its three nearby thermal springs, Ojo de Jabalí, Ojo Caliente and Ojo Salado. Also only a short distance away is the Boquilla reservoir.
