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San Miguel was originally known as San Miguel El Grande and founded as such in 1542 by Fray Juan de San Miguel of the Franciscan order. The name was changed to San Miguel de Allende in 1826 in honor of national hero of the Independence, Gen. Ignacio Allende. The quaint, cobble stoned colonial town, lying on a hillside around it's town square or jardín, was designated a national historical monument in 1930. Clustered around the central plaza are a number of colonial structures that include the church (La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, or Parish of St. Michael Archangel), construction of which began in 1689 and was completed in 1730 with further additions being built on into the 1800´s, and the Casa de Allende, with elaborate balconies and stone carvings, where Ignacio de Allende was born.
San Miguel de Allende is accessible by air through the Aeropuerto del Bajio (BJX) near León, just over 100 kms. from San Miguel, or through Mexico City´s international airport, 4 hours away. Many people take the luxury class buses down from the U.S. border at Laredo, about a 14 hr. overnight drive.
San Miguel de Allende Hotels & Lodging
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In 1950 the Instituto Allende art school was founded, and San Miguel began to attract a growing number of foreign artists, craftspeople and tourists. The city now has several art and Spanish schools and private tutors and the most extensive bilingual library in the country, as well as the Photography Academy, art exhibits and concerts, crafts shops and markets and a fabulous selection of fine restaurants, many offering music while you dine or enjoy a drink.
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