Ex-Haciendas of Aguascalientes

After the conquest of 1521 the Spanish settled widely in central Mexico. Consequently, Aguascalientes is host to upwards of 35 ex-haciendas, some in almost ruins, others in various stages of restoration and repair, others in full use. Many are private holdings or government buildings (one, the Hacienda La Cantera, houses an orphanage and seniors hospice) and most have restricted public access. There are a few, however, that can be toured and enjoyed more fully. Some of these are:

Aguascalientes Hotel Search

Aguascalientes Hotels by HotelsCombined.com

Hacienda and Temple of San Blas de Pabellón

One of the region's most important, this hacienda grew from its first foundations in the late 16th C to an expanse of over 60,000 hectares by the early 1800's. Lying on the route between Aguascalientes and the northern mining center of Zacatecas, It encompassed a number of dams and great tracts of land on which were cultivated wheat, corn and other grains as well as cattle.

Today the hacienda houses the Museum of the Insurrection (Museo de la Insurgencia) in which historical objects and documents dating from the time of the Mexican Independence are on display. The grounds also hold the old cattle pens, granaries, water mills, threshing and other farm machinery, store houses and other out-buildngs, main house and the Temple of San Blas de Pabellon, dating from the end of the 17th C..

The hacienda is located north of the city of Aguascalientes in the township of Rincon de Ramos. Take Federal Highway 45 north for about 30 kilometers and turn right toward the town of Pabellón de Hidalgo for 6 kilometers.

Visit the Aguascalientes resource directory

Hacienda El Chichimeco

Currently housing one of the most important livestock ranches for the raising of fighting bulls in the country, Hacienda El Chichimeco dates back to the 13th C, its structures feature the main house, horse stables and cattle pens as well as a Museo Taurino, a Bull Fighting Museum displaying artifacts and photos of the history of the cattle raising family of the Armillita Brothers who started the noted bull raising tradition on the property in the late 1930's.

The Hacienda is located only a few minutes outside of Aguascalientes along the road to Valladolid, in the municipality of Jesus Maria.

Hacienda de los Cuartos

Also located in the municipality of Jesus Maria on the way to Valladolid and only 15 or 20 minutes out of Aguascalientes, is the Hacienda de los Cuartos that also served mainly as a livestock and horse raising facility, although crops such as wheat, corn and beans were also cultivated. Since 1992 it has housed the Centro Ecologico Los Cuartos, an environmental studies center.

Hacienda de Garabato

Originally called the Hacienda de San Isidro Labrador, this property includes a magnificent church that still bears that name, dedicated to Saint Isidore the Laborer, the patron saint of farmers and day laborers.This was the first hacienda in Mexico to raise livestock for bull fights. The core of the hacienda, protected by now-crumbling walls needed in its time to ward off bandits and thieves, holds the ruins of stables, cattle corrals, a temple and grain storage buildings.

The hacienda is located to the north of Aguascalientes and just west of San Francisco de los Romo. It is currently available for booking for special events. Information can be obtained from offices located in the city of Aguascalientes at V. Carranza 203, Int. 3, Colonia Centro.

For more information on the Haciendas of Aguascalientes, see the Official Site of the Aguascalientes State Government - Exhaciendas

Return to the Aguascalientes overview or learn about the Feria de San Marcos