Hermosillo Attractions
How to get there
By air from Mexico City in about 2 hours, also flights from other Mexican airports; by rail from Mexico City via Guadalajara and Ciudad Obregón in about 38 hours; by bus from Mexico City via Guadalajara in about 35 hours; from the USA via Tijuana or Nogales.
Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora, is located on the shores of a lake at the confluence of the Río Sonora and Río Zanjón, surrounded by fertile fruit orchards, market gardens and arable land. More recently refining industries (maquiladoras) have established themselves here. Few old colonial buildings survive, since the town has developed rapidly in recent years and has largely been modernised. The stretch of coast opposite the Isla Tiburón attracts many visitors with its agreeable winter climate.
History
The first Spaniards arrived in this region in 1531 and encountered stiff resistance from the warlike nomadic Indian tribes. It was not until 1742 that the first fortified settlement was established here by Agustin de Vildósola under the name of El Real Presidio de la Santisima Trinidad de Pitic. In 1828 the town was given its present name in honour of General José María Gonzáles Hermosillo, a hero of the War of Independence. Since 1879 Hermosillo has been the capital of Sonora state.
Sights
The town has few buildings of tourist interest. Notable features are the 19th c. Neo-Classical Cathedral, the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno, also 19th c.), the Madero Park and the Mirador, an outlook tower on the Cerro de la Campagne. At the northern exit onto the MEX 15 to Nogales stands the equestrian statue of the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino.
By air from Mexico City in about 2 hours, also flights from other Mexican airports; by rail from Mexico City via Guadalajara and Ciudad Obregón in about 38 hours; by bus from Mexico City via Guadalajara in about 35 hours; from the USA via Tijuana or Nogales.
Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora, is located on the shores of a lake at the confluence of the Río Sonora and Río Zanjón, surrounded by fertile fruit orchards, market gardens and arable land. More recently refining industries (maquiladoras) have established themselves here. Few old colonial buildings survive, since the town has developed rapidly in recent years and has largely been modernised. The stretch of coast opposite the Isla Tiburón attracts many visitors with its agreeable winter climate.
History
The first Spaniards arrived in this region in 1531 and encountered stiff resistance from the warlike nomadic Indian tribes. It was not until 1742 that the first fortified settlement was established here by Agustin de Vildósola under the name of El Real Presidio de la Santisima Trinidad de Pitic. In 1828 the town was given its present name in honour of General José María Gonzáles Hermosillo, a hero of the War of Independence. Since 1879 Hermosillo has been the capital of Sonora state.
Sights
The town has few buildings of tourist interest. Notable features are the 19th c. Neo-Classical Cathedral, the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno, also 19th c.), the Madero Park and the Mirador, an outlook tower on the Cerro de la Campagne. At the northern exit onto the MEX 15 to Nogales stands the equestrian statue of the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino.
Ecological Center of Sonora
This nature center features over 250 animals and about 300 different types of plants. There is also an observatory.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened 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)
Museo Regional de Historia de Sonora
On the campus of the modern University will be found the Museo Regional de Historia de Sonora, which contains archaeological material from Sonora and ethnological collections illustrating local Indian cultures (Seri, Pima, Opata, Yaqui). Particularly notable is a mummified body thought to be at least 10,000 years old, found in a cave near the village of Yécora.
Museo de Sonora (Old Penitentiary of Hermosillo)
This building was a prison until 1979 when it was converted into a museum. Construction began in 1897 and by 1905 there were already prisoners in the building which were used to finish construction.
Palaeontological Museum
The Palaeontological Museum, housed in the former gaol near the Cerro de la Campaña (Bell Hill), boasts a collection of, among other things, 19th c. weaponry and traditional Yaqui Indian dance costumes.
Hermosillo Surroundings
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Isla Tiburón
The Isla Tiburón (Island of Sharks), lying just off the coast of Sonora in the Mar de Cortés (Gulf of California), is over 50km/30mi long and up to 30km/20mi wide, making it Mexico's largest island. Discovered by Fernando de Alarcón in 1540, it was for a long time inhabited by Seri Indians, but since 1976 it has been an uninhabited nature reserve, with rich animal and plant life, which can be visited only with special permission.
Opata Indians
North-east of Hermosillo, between the Río Sonora and Río Bavispe, live the Opata Indians, now numbering only about 300. They also belong to the Uto-Aztec family, being related to the Pima and Tarahumara, and are believed to be descended from the Aztecs. They now live mainly by farming and breeding silkworms.
Religion
Although they, too, were converted by the Jesuits at the end of the 17th c., they still preserve many ancient Indian rituals and believe in a kind of transmigration of souls. Their dances represent battles with the Apaches and their first encounters with the Spaniards. Like the Tarahumara, they go in for long-distance races and contests of skill.
Some 140km/90mi south of Hermosilla lies the port of Guaymas.
Religion
Although they, too, were converted by the Jesuits at the end of the 17th c., they still preserve many ancient Indian rituals and believe in a kind of transmigration of souls. Their dances represent battles with the Apaches and their first encounters with the Spaniards. Like the Tarahumara, they go in for long-distance races and contests of skill.
Some 140km/90mi south of Hermosilla lies the port of Guaymas.
Pima Indians
East of Hermosilla, around the settlements of Ures, El Novillo, Sahuaripa, Yeecora and Maycoba on the slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental, live the Pima Indians, some 1500 in number. The Pima, whose language belongs to the Uto-Aztec family and is thus similar to Náhuatl, originally lived a nomadic life in Sonora and Arizona. Towards the end of the 17th c. they were pacified with the help of the Jesuits, and thereafter they fought with the Spaniards against the Seri and their traditional enemies the Comanches. They now live mainly by farming and rearing cattle. Their principal fiesta is October 4th (Día de San Francisco).
Punta Chueca, Mexico
15km/9.3mi north of Viejo and Nuevo Kino lies the little township of Punta Chueca, which boasts a particularly beautiful beach and is a popular meeting place for Seri Indians.
Seri Indians
The Seri Indians, now dying out and numbering fewer than 500, are still semi-nomadic hunters, fishermen and food-gatherers. Practically nothing is known about the origin of these tall Indians, whose language belongs to the Sioux group. They once lived on the island of Tiburón but were resettled by the Mexican navy on the strip of mainland opposite.
Religion
Although they were converted to Christianity by the Jesuits they still worship the sun, the moon and various animal demons. Their ceremonies, which usually involve dancing, are intended to ensure success in hunting and fishing, and they also attach importance to girls' puberty rituals.
They recognise women as having great authority, but in times of crisis they elect a hunter as their leader. Nowadays only the women paint their faces in bright colours on special occasions; their jewellery is mostly made from shells, bones and seeds. Their traditional crafts are confined to elaborately woven baskets and carved ironwood, which they sell at weekends in Nuevo Kino.
Religion
Although they were converted to Christianity by the Jesuits they still worship the sun, the moon and various animal demons. Their ceremonies, which usually involve dancing, are intended to ensure success in hunting and fishing, and they also attach importance to girls' puberty rituals.
They recognise women as having great authority, but in times of crisis they elect a hunter as their leader. Nowadays only the women paint their faces in bright colours on special occasions; their jewellery is mostly made from shells, bones and seeds. Their traditional crafts are confined to elaborately woven baskets and carved ironwood, which they sell at weekends in Nuevo Kino.
