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Mexican Independence Day in mid-September is a great time to discover the wonderful colonial cities of Mexico
In this period, the culinary and cultural experience of Mexico is at its peak, especially in central Mexico, the cradle of Mexican Independence
All around the country, tons of exciting activities take place around the Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays
September is by far the most patriotic month of the year in Mexico. A series of events related to the movement leading to the independence from Spain are remembered in all parts of the Republic, making for colourful and picturesque celebrations of the pride and heritage of Mexico.
Moreover, the bustle and enthusiasm associated with the Fiestas Patrias, or patriotic holidays, make it an exceptionally interesting time to visit the country. In this edition, we will present you the liveliest celebrations, and the best places to join in the celebration of the Fiestas Patrias. |
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El Grito: the speech that sparked the Independence war
The origins of the Fiestas Patrias reach back to the early 19th century, in the first moments of the fight for the independence of Mexico. At the time, the mounting local bourgeoisie of New Spain, the criollos, were hitting the glass ceiling imposed by the dominating Spaniards.
The criollo thus formed an independence movement, headed by Ignacio Allende, José María Morelos and Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who succeeded in uniting behind themselves the mestizos (of mixed European and Native origins) and some Native groups.
The beginning of the fight for independence is traditionally said to be September 16, 1810, the day Father Miguel de Hidalgo took up an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as his ensign, rang the bell of the church of Dolores and launched his famous Grito, the original cry for the independence of Mexico. He was later to abolish slavery -some 50 years before the American Proclamation of Emancipation- and unfair taxes affecting the Natives.
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Celebrating "El Grito" in Mexico City
Certainly home to the largest Día de independencia festivities in Mexico, the capital is the ideal place to feel the intense bustle of this most important Mexican fiesta of the year. Be sure not to miss the presidential Grito on the Zócalo on the night of the 15th. After this, the party is officially launched, and culminates with a rousing and colourful show of fireworks and the streets remain full of life until the wee hours of the morning. The next day, which is the actual Independence Day, the different corps of the military parade in uniforms, and families gather around exquisite traditional meals, such as the chile en nogada, a stuffed hot pepper in a creamy walnut sauce served with pomegranate, thus mimicking the green white and blue Mexican flag.
Anyone visiting Mexico during the Fiestas Patrias should seize the occasion to visit the Mausoleum of the Angel de la Independencia, located at the foot of the statue of the same name, at the crossing of Reforma and Florencia boulevards. It hosts important relics of the revolutionary figures who led Mexico to become a free nation. Among them, you will see the skulls of the fathers of the Independence Ignacio Allende and Father Miguel Hidalgo, as well as the remains of other Independence fighters such as Nicolás Bravo, Leona Vicario and Vicente Guerrero. Books, weapons and other personal objects of those national heroes are also display, and admission is free.
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Puebla and Cholula: living symbols of the Mexican nation
Puebla is a truly fascinating town to visit, and even more so during the Fiestas Patrias. One of the first towns founded by the Spaniards in New Spain, in 1531, it is found right next to its sister town Cholula, once the second most important city of the Aztec empire, which throughout history retained many aspects of its own Native origins. The contrast between the two is still visible today, and stands as a physical metaphor of the mix of identities and origins from which originated the Mexican raza, or people.
The historic center of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a marvellous assembling of colonial architecture, with its Spanish and French influences well conserved. It was home to many intellectuals and thinkers of the early Independence times, and as such takes great pride in its role in the creation of the country.
Cholula boasts the world's largest pyramid in terms of volume, which, though it is buried under earth, still creates a commanding presence at the heart of the town. Be sure not to miss the breathtaking churches of the small towns of Tonantzintla, and Acatepec, located on the outskirts of Cholula. Their inside decoration is sure to redefine your idea of "baroque" and "surreal".
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Zacatecas: a colourful Independence Day in a charming historic town
Zacatecas is yet another one of the superb colonial towns of central Mexico. All over its callejones, (pedestrian streets, often with built-in steps), it conserves the flavour of the old days. The Fiestas Patrias come to Zacatecas as the climax of the regional feria, which is much more than a country fair. It is a moment in which Zacatecas celebrates its rich cultural history with a two week-long fair featuring musical performances, amusement rides for the children, theatre performances, as well as an assortment of regional cuisine.
In Zacatecas, be sure not to miss a visit of the former silver mine, El Edén, which was one of the most important mines in the days of the Viceroyalty. Very well organized and completely safe, it stands today as a testimony of the colonial model in place at the time, when Native workforce was put to work in the mines for the fortune of the Spanish crown.
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San Miguel de Allende, cradle of the Mexican independence
San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, is the place where it all started. Close by is the town of Dolores, where Father Miguel Hidalgo's launched his call to rebellion in 1810, rallying the masses behind the ensign of the Virgin of Guadalupe and slogans like "Death to the bad government!", "Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!" and "Long live Fernando VII!".
But were it not for its historical significance, San Miguel de Allende is also plain beautiful. Its historic centre was rightly granted the title of World Heritage Site last July, along with the Sanctuary Jesus of Nazareth of Atotonilco, whose main church the arts specialists refer to as the Sixtine Chapel of the Americas.
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Puerto Peñasco to become a Model Destination
Mexican Secretary of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, and Governor of the state of Sonora Eduardo Bours Castelo recently presented a project that will turn Puerto Peñasco (Sonora) into a Model Destination.
The Federal Secretariat of Tourism will be investing $3 million USD, which will be part of a total $8,9 million tripartite investment plan, dedicated to 5 individual projects related to tourism. This investment is specially oriented to ensure an orderly development of the real estate and tourism infrastructures of this Pacific coast destination.
Secertary Elizondo also announced that the Mexico Tourism Board will be devoting $1.75 million to promote the destination in the North American and domestic market.
Along with the MTB director Óscar Fitch Gómez and other tourism officials, Secretary Elizondo attended during his visit to Sonora presentations of other projects and announced new sums from the federal government. Among them, the Paseo al mar, a renovation of the cruise terminal in Guaymas, as well in the El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve, which will see its welcoming centre also renovated. |
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A new Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course opens on the Riviera Maya
Palace Resort, the leading group in golfing resorts in the Cancún-Riviera Maya region, opened on August 14th its new destination, the Riviera Cancún Golf & Resort.
The exceptional new golf course was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, the renowned and prolific creator behind some of the most beautiful courses in the world. It is a par 76.2, and features a 146 slope, along an intricate array of landscapes, including two holes facing the magnificent sight of the Ocean, as well as mangroves, dunes and lagoons.
The opening of the Riviera Cancún Golf & Resort, which lays only five minutes away from the Cancún International Airport, is without a doubt the most important news of the year in the world of golfing in Mexico. |
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A special emphasis on cultural tourism
As part of its strategy to better position cultural tourism, the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism has announced that 60% of the investments in new tourism projects this year will be dedicated to distinguish the cultural and historic tourism supply.
To better position this niche, the three levels of government will be investing $214 million USD, through the Coordination and Reallocation of Resources Conventions for the development of tourism. |
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Planning a trip to Mexico?
Want to know more about what Mexico has to offer?
Call the Mexico Tourism Board at 1-800-44-MEXICO or visit our website. You may also contact our Canadian office at the corresponding number below:
| Toll-Free: 1-866-895-5297 |
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