Santiago de Querétaro (Spanish pronunciation: [sanˈtjaɣo ðe keˈɾetaɾo]; Otomi: Dähnini Maxei), often called Querétaro, is the capital and largest city of the state of Querétaro in central Mexico. It is part of the Bajío region. The city is located 213 kilometers (132 miles) northwest of Mexico City, 63 kilometers (39 miles) southeast of San Miguel de Allende, and 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of San Luis Potosí. It is also the seat of the municipality of Querétaro, which is divided into seven boroughs. In 1996, the historic center of Querétaro was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Querétaro is an important business and economic center that continues to grow and improve socially and economically. This growth has led to many people moving to the city from other parts of Mexico.

Since the mid-1990s, Querétaro has experienced strong industrial and economic development. The Querétaro metropolitan area has a per capita GDP of US$20,000, the second-highest among Mexico's metropolitan areas after Monterrey. The city is the fastest-growing in the country, with an economy based on information technology, data centers, logistics services, aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, call centers, the automotive and machinery industries, and the production of chemicals and food products. The region of Querétaro has a growing vineyard industry and is home to the famous Spanish wine producer Freixenet. Wine production in the state of Querétaro is now the second-largest in Mexico, after Baja California.

Major international companies in aerospace, electronics, automotive, chemical, food, and financial industries have their national headquarters in Querétaro.

Etymology

In the Otomi language, the place is called "Maxei" or "Ndamaxei," which means "ball game" and "grand ball game" respectively. In the Mendocino Codex, the town is named Tlaschco or Tlaxco, derived from the Nahuatl word for "ball game." However, Querétaro likely comes from "k'eri ireta rho," meaning "place of the great people," especially because about 15,000 people lived there during Aztec times. Querétaro had an Aztec glyph to represent it, as it was a tributary province. In 1655, it received a coat of arms from the Spanish Crown.

The word "Querétaro" was chosen by 33,000 participants as "the most beautiful word in the Spanish language" before being approved by the Instituto Cervantes. In Pre-Columbian terms, Querétaro literally means "the island of the blue salamanders." Other scholars suggest it may also mean "place of the reptiles" or "place of the giant rocks."

History

The area was settled around AD 200 by Mesoamerican groups moving north, and archaeological sites here show influences from the Teotihuacan civilization. During the Classic Period, two population centers called Toluquilla and Las Ranas existed in this area. The mountain now known as El Cerrito was a ceremonial center, but it was later abandoned for unknown reasons. In the later pre-Hispanic period, the area was populated by the Otomi, who lived in cities and had complex political systems by the time of the Aztec Empire. The Aztecs called them the Tlacetilli Otomi or "Otomi Nation/State." This area was under the control of the Otomi dominion of Xilotepeque in the 1440s, which was part of the Aztec Empire of Mexihco-Tenochtitlan. Under the rule of Ahuizotl in the late 15th century, the Aztecs directly administered the area, seeing it as a barrier against the Chichimeca lands to the north. The Otomi were the largest group in Xilotepec, though other groups, such as the Chichimeca, also lived there. These two groups are still present in the area today. During pre-Hispanic and colonial times, the Otomi lived in groups based on family, with defined territories. They lived in homes made of stone, wood, or adobe and were farmers who did not focus on warfare as much as the Aztecs.

The Spanish city of Santiago de Querétaro was founded on July 25, 1531, when Spaniard Hernán Pérez Bocanegra y Córdoba arrived with the Otomi leader Conín (later named Hernando de Tapia), who was the leader of the Otomi people living in Aztec-controlled territory. On this date, the Spanish and their Nahuan allies were fighting the local Otomi and Chichimeca groups at a hill now called Sangremal, which was known as Ynlotepeque and considered sacred before the Spanish arrived. Records from this event, such as those written by Friar Isidro Félix de Espinoza, describe how the Chichimeca were close to winning when a total solar eclipse occurred. This event reportedly frightened the Chichimeca, and the Spanish claimed they saw an image of Saint James (the patron saint of Spain) riding a white horse with a rose-colored cross. This caused the Chichimeca to surrender. The city was named Santiago de Querétaro in honor of Saint James. A stone cross resembling the one the Spanish claimed to see was built on the hill, later followed by a church and monastery.

Spanish control of the area grew slowly and was not achieved through a single battle. In the 1520s, the Otomi and many Chichimeca groups in what is now southern Querétaro and northern Mexico State allied with Hernán Cortés under the leadership of the lord of Xilotepeque, who still held some power over the old Otomi dominion. The first Spanish arrived between 1526 and 1529, led by Hernán Pérez de Bocanegra. Bocanegra initially tried peaceful methods to establish a Spanish city, but local resistance forced him to move south and found the cities of Huimilpan and Acámbaro. Bocanegra continued negotiating with Conín, the lord of Xilotepeque, who eventually helped end the conflict and was made the Spanish governor of the area. However, early colonial history was marked by conflicts between the remaining Chichimeca groups and Spanish authorities, including disputes over the establishment of encomiendas. Conín separated the indigenous and Spanish residents of the new city, placing the indigenous people near Sangremal hill and the Spanish around the current historic center. The Spanish part of the city was designed by D. Juan Sanchez de Alaniz, while the indigenous section was laid out in the traditional Otomi style. The first city council met in 1535, and the settlement was named a Pueblo de Indios (Indian Village) in 1537, ending the encomiendas. During this time, the Franciscans arrived to spread Christianity, later joined by the Jesuits, Augustinians, and others who built monasteries such as the Monastery of San Francisco, Lima, and the Monastery of Santa Cruz.

The settlement was declared a town in 1606, and by 1655, only Spaniards lived in the city proper. In 1656, it was officially named the "Muy Noble y Leal Ciudad de Santiago de Querétaro" (Very Noble and Loyal City of Santiago de Querétaro) by Viceroy Luis de Velasco, recognizing the city's growth, agriculture, industry, and education. By the 18th century, it was informally called the "Pearl of the Bajío" and "The Third City of the Viceroyalty."

By the 17th century, the Franciscans were joined by the Dieguinos, who built the Monastery of San Antonio, and the Jesuits, who built the Colleges of San Ignacio and San Francisco Javier. Other groups, such as the Dominicans, Carmelites, and the Royal Convent of Santa Clara de Asís, also established monasteries in Querétaro. The city became a training ground for missionaries who traveled north to Texas and California. Many of these missionaries were educated at the Colegio de Propagación de la Fe (College for the Propagation of the Faith), established at the Monastery of Santa Cruz in 1683. Some of its graduates traveled as far as South America. Few 16th-century buildings remain intact due to violence during the city's early development, which peaked in the 17th century. Most of the city's oldest structures are from the Baroque period.

Querétaro is considered one of the birthplaces of Mexican Independence, with much credit given to Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez. She was the wife of the city's mayor, called a corregidor, at the start of the 19th century. She used her position to gather information for the independence movement.

Groups called tertulias were popular among upper-class Creoles, as they provided a place to discuss politics safely. One such group, the Asociación de Apatistas, met regularly at the home of José María Sánchez and became focused on supporting independence. Members included many educated individuals such as Lorenzo de la Parra, Juan Nepomuceno Mier y Altamirano, Manuel Ramírez de Arellano, and others. The group

Geography

Santiago de Querétaro is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Querétaro. It is located in central Mexico and is part of the large region called Bajío. The city is 213 kilometers (132 miles) northwest of Mexico City, 63 kilometers (39 miles) southeast of San Miguel de Allende, and 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of San Luis Potosí.

The municipality covers an area of 682.7 square kilometers (263.6 square miles) and shares borders with three other municipalities in Querétaro and one in Guanajuato. The land includes rolling hills, mountain ranges, and flat areas. Many of the hills run from south to north, following the road between Querétaro and San Luis Potosí. The flat areas are mostly in the north and have soil made from layers of rock, with some volcanic rock visible. The elevation ranges from 1,900 to 2,460 meters above sea level, with the highest points at mountains named El Buey, Pie de Gallo, El Patol, El Nabo, and El Paisano. The city itself is located on a plain at 1,900 meters. There is one river, the Querétaro River, which carved a canyon called La Cañada. Many streams and fresh water springs are found near the mountains. The area also has deposits of minerals such as gold, silver, manganese, tin, mercury, lead, zinc, opal, quartz, and cantera stone, which is used for building.

Querétaro has a semi-arid climate, meaning it is not very wet, with most rain falling in summer. Temperatures are mild throughout the year, though the average high in May is 30.7°C (87.3°F). Freezing temperatures can occur in winter.

In many areas, you can see cacti like organ pipe and nopals, as well as yucca plants. Trees that grow in dry climates include mesquite, willows, and cypress, which are often found near rivers and streams. Animals in the area include small mammals, deer, birds of prey, and reptiles. Monarch butterflies can also be seen in some places. Natural protected areas in the municipality include Peña Colorado, Tángano, Parque Ecologico Joya-La Barreta, and El Cimatario National Park.

Near the city is the Sierra Gorda de Querétaro, part of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. This area was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve because of its unique and preserved environment. It has rugged terrain with canyons, steep mountains, waterfalls, and deep valleys, covering 24,803 hectares. The area is home to 360 bird species, 130 mammal species, 71 reptile species, and 23 amphibian species. About 30% of the country’s butterfly species live here, including endangered ones like the Humboldt’s butterfly, jaguar, black bear, and macaw. There are 1,710 different plant species, many of which are endangered. The area is one of Mexico’s best-preserved forests. The Missionary Route of Friar Junípero Serra passes through this region, and caves like Sótano del Barro are also located here.

Economy

Over the past ten years, Querétaro has experienced strong economic growth. Today, the city is considered a middle-class city based on its PPP GDP, which is $20,000. The municipality of Querétaro was ranked 23rd in Mexico on the United Nations Index of Human Development. In 2006, Querétaro was ranked 13th in the "Best Cities to Do Business in Latin America" list published by América Economía, a major economic magazine. In 2007, it was named the second best city in Mexico for business, after Monterrey, and the fifth best in Latin America, ahead of Miami. The ranking considers factors such as telecommunications, innovation, quality of life, urban expansion, and crime statistics. In its 2007 survey titled "Cities of the Future," FDI magazine ranked Querétaro as having the third highest cost effectiveness among North American cities with populations between 500,000 and two million. In the overall classification of large cities, Querétaro was ranked sixth.

Until the 1970s, agriculture was the main part of the economy in areas outside the city, while commerce was more common within the city. Since then, the growth of industry and the city itself, which began in the 1950s, has reduced the importance of agriculture and the land used for farming. Today, agriculture employs only 0.01% of the population. Major employers now include industrial parks surrounding the city and extending to San Juan del Río. These include the Zona Industrial Benito Juarez, Parque Industrial Querétaro, Parque Industrial Jurica, Parque La Montaña, and the Querétaro-San Juan del Río Industrial Corridor. Most businesses in these areas are owned by foreign companies or were built with foreign investment. Industries include manufacturing machine and auto parts, food processing, paper products, printing, chemicals, and glass.

Querétaro's economic growth is higher than the national average, partly because the city invests in infrastructure, public services, and the creation of parks, sports facilities, and cultural centers. The economy has led to population growth of more than 3.5% each year. Industrialization has drawn many migrants from poorer areas of Mexico, but many of these people are unemployed or underemployed. This has increased the number of informal markets and businesses in and around the city. Many people also pass through Querétaro when traveling to northern Mexican states or the United States. This has made commerce the largest economic activity in the municipality. Tourism has grown as an important part of the economy, especially in the city itself, and now accounts for 21% of the city's gross product. Both Standard & Poor's and the newspaper Reforma have ranked Querétaro as one of the safest cities in Mexico with the highest quality of life. According to the Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustenable Municipal, the city is expected to grow by 35% in size over the next 20 to 25 years. Economic growth in 2009 and 2010 was predicted to be between 1% and 2%, due to a global economic downturn. Changes such as the spread of economic activities (industry and services) and the development of a housing market have contributed to growth in cities like Querétaro. Major companies based in Querétaro include Bombardier Aerospace (an airplane manufacturing facility in Mexico), Kellogg's, Samsung Electronics, Daewoo, Colgate-Palmolive, Harman International Industries, General Electric, Michelin, Tetra Pak, Siemens Mexico, New Holland, Faurecia, ABC Group, Autoliv, TRW Automotive, Tremec, Valeo, Funai, Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Pilgrim's Pride, Santander Bank's call center for Latin America, Mabe Mexico, Irizar, Scania, Hitachi, Kostal, Aernnova, Dana, Dow Chemical, Bose, Alpha Hilex, Saint-Gobain, Flex-N-Gate, ThyssenKrupp, and TCS.

Festival of Santiago de Querétaro

The Festival of Santiago de Querétaro is an annual arts and cultural event that happens in the city for eight days during Holy Week. The city of Querétaro, along with CONACULTA and the state tourism office, organize the festival. Each year, the event has a special theme, such as "Arte in Todos los Sentidos" (Art in All Senses) in 2009. Activities take place in many locations, including the City Museum, Guerrero Garden, Zenea Garden, Rosalio Solano Theatre, and the plazas in the city center. The festival happens during Holy Week to bring Mexican and international visitors to the city. The event begins with a parade through the historic center, starting on Corregidora Street and ending at Constituyentes, Angela Peralta, Juárez, Madera, and Guerrero streets. The parade finishes at the place where public officials officially open the festival.

Over the eight days, Mexican and international artists perform and show their work. Events include music, painting, dance, photography, literature, special workshops, and a children's pavilion. On the final day, there is a food event where visitors can try local dishes from restaurants in the city. The 2009 festival included 110 events and had about 3,150,000 people attend, much more than the 260,000 who came in 2008. The 2009 event had concerts with traditional Mexican music, rock, and jazz. Some international artists came from Italy, Argentina, and Brazil. Mexican artists who performed included Pindekuechua, a traditional music group from Morelia; Grupo Esparza from Guanajuato; and Jazzcorps from Toluca.

Metropolitan area

According to the National Population Council (CONAPO), the Metropolitan Area of Querétaro covers an area of 2,427.3 square kilometers (937.2 square miles). It includes the cities of Querétaro, Corregidora, El Marqués, and Huimilpan in the state of Querétaro, and Apaseo el Alto in the state of Guanajuato. In 2020, the area had a total population of 1,594,212 people, making it the 8th largest metropolitan area in Mexico and the 128th largest in the Americas.

The population of the Querétaro metropolitan area has grown quickly since the late 1990s. It is the second fastest-growing city in the country, after Cancún. The city of El Marqués has the fastest population growth in the state of Querétaro, with its population nearly doubling over the past ten years. Most of this growth comes from people moving to the area from other places, including Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Veracruz. In 2005 alone, 10,465 people moved to the metropolitan area.

People are moving to Querétaro because of factors such as education, job opportunities, safety, and quality of life. In recent years, many people from the northern and central parts of Mexico have moved to Santiago de Querétaro. The city’s strong safety record has also attracted people from other countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Spain, and others. Because of the large number of migrants, the city is planning to create an Institute for Migrant Assistance to help manage migration more effectively and ensure it is legal and safe.

Querétaro is one of the top five most competitive metropolitan areas in Mexico.

In January 2008, the government of Apaseo el Alto in Guanajuato announced plans to build a new neighborhood for 120,000 people. This area will become part of the Santiago de Querétaro metropolitan region.

Transportation

Querétaro is an important place where many roads meet in Mexico. Federal Highway 57 connects Mexico City to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. This highway passes through Querétaro. Federal Highway 45 leaves Querétaro heading west toward Guanajuato. The part of Federal Highway 57 that goes through the city is called Blvd. Bernardo Quintana. This is the main road in the city, stretching from the southern part near City Hall to the new industrial areas northwest of downtown. Federal Highway 45 crosses the city south of downtown. Cinco de Febrero Ave connects these two roads in a north–south direction. These three roads together form a ring around the city center. A railway line that connects Mexico City with western Mexico divides the city.

A new ring road called Libramiento Sur-Poniente is being built. Some parts of it are already completed. When finished, it will connect to Blvd. Bernardo Quintana on its southeastern side, go around the city’s southwestern and western areas, and reach the northern suburb of Santa Rosa Jauregui. Currently, workers are extending Blvd. Bernardo Quintana on its northwestern end to link with this new ring road.

Another highway, named after missionary Junípero Serra, who founded the Missions of the Sierra Gorda, creates another ring road. This highway starts in northeast Querétaro, goes around the old airport, reaches the northern suburb of Juriquilla, and continues south to connect with Libramiento Sur-Poniente.

Querétaro’s public transportation includes private bus companies that operate on fixed routes. These buses cover 123 approved routes across all neighborhoods in the city. There are also regular taxis. The city has a large bus terminal for inter-city travel.

Querétaro International Airport began operations in 2004, replacing the older Ing. Fernando Espinoza Gutiérrez International Airport. The airport serves passengers and cargo for both commercial and private planes. In recent years, it has become one of the fastest-growing airports in Mexico by the number of passengers. Plans to build a new airport started in 1999 after studies showed the need for it. Construction of the new airport began in 2002.

Education and research

The city and its nearby areas are home to some of Mexico's most important universities. The most well-known universities in Mexico, including the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Universidad Anáhuac, and ITESM (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey), have campuses on the edges of the city where important research happens. UNAM is a public university, while Universidad Anáhuac and ITESM-Querétaro are private institutions.

The city also has more than seven research centers. Some of the most important ones are CIATEQ, CIDESI, and CIDETEQ. There are also several private research centers.

• ITESM (Tec de Monterrey), Querétaro campus.
• UNAM, Juriquilla campus.
• Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ).

Sports

The city is home to one of the most modern stadiums in Mexico, called the Estadio Corregidora. It was built for the FIFA World Cup in 1986. Querétaro F.C., a team in the Liga MX, plays its matches there. Bullfighting is a popular sport in the city, with two bullrings: Santa María and Juriquilla. Santa María was opened on December 22, 1963, and can hold 13,000 people. Juriquilla is smaller but is considered the most beautiful bullring in the country.

American football is also a popular sport. It is played by teams at different schools and universities, including UAQ (Gatos Salvajes), ITQ (Zorros), and ITESM (Borregos Salvajes). Querétaro has two college football teams: the Zorros from ITQ (ONEFA) and the Borregos Salvajes from ITESM campus Querétaro (CONADEIP).

Golf is another popular activity in the city, with several courses such as Juriquilla, Campestre, Balvanera, and El Campanario. Nearby areas like San Gil and Tequisquiapan also offer golf opportunities. The city has two wrestling arenas: Arena Querétaro, where matches from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and Desastre Total Ultraviolento take place, and Auditorio Arteaga, a multipurpose venue that hosts basketball games for Libertadores de Querétaro and AAA wrestling matches.

Auditorio Arteaga also serves as a basketball stadium for the city team Libertadores de Querétaro and for traditional wrestling, volleyball, and other sports. It can seat 3,000 people. The Auditorio Josefa Ortiz is the largest multipurpose venue in the city. It hosts events like tennis matches (Davis Cup), Tae Kwon Do, Table Tennis, and other sports. It can seat 6,000 people in stadium style.

Other sports facilities in the city include:

• Parque Querétaro 2000: Features an Olympic pool, Tae Kwon Do arena, gymnasium, football field, baseball field, volleyball courts, and a running path.
• Parque Alfalfares: Includes basketball courts, tennis courts, a semi-Olympic pool, football fields (for association and American football), baseball fields, and volleyball courts.
• Estadio Municipal: A football stadium that can seat 1,000 people.
• Unidad Deportiva UAQ: A sports facility operated by the state university, open to the public.
• Unidad Deportiva IMSS: A sports facility managed by the health care system, used for special events and open to the public and IMSS workers.

The municipality

As the main city, Querétaro is responsible for managing 132 communities in the municipality, which are divided into seven boroughs called delegaciones.

In 2020, the total population of the municipality was 1,049,777, making it the 12th most populous area in Mexico. Of these, 794,789 people (75%) live in the city of Santiago de Querétaro. Other large cities in the municipality include Juriquilla (39,244), San Pedro Mártir (31,677), San José el Alto (29,758), and Santa Rosa Jáuregui (22,168).

The municipality of Querétaro is divided into seven boroughs, called delegaciones:

• Centro Histórico: This area includes the downtown and nearby neighborhoods. It is surrounded by major roads, such as Blvd. Bernardo Quintana, 5 de Febrero Avenue, and the Mexico City–Querétaro Highway. Many of the city’s landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage Site areas, are located here. The Cerro de las Campanas, where Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg was executed, is also in this borough. The northwestern part of the area includes industrial businesses, especially those related to food production, such as Gerber, Nestlé, and Pilgrim's Pride.
• Santa Rosa Jáuregui: This borough is mostly rural and focuses on egg, poultry, and livestock production. It includes larger towns like Santa Rosa Jáuregui and Juriquilla. The area is home to the largest water reservoir in the municipality, the Presa de Santa Catarina. A modern industrial park, Samsung, has recently been built here.
• Félix Osores Sotomayor: This area has seen recent population growth, with an estimated 6% increase. It contains the largest industrial zone in Querétaro, where many international companies operate, such as Michelin and Philips. The neighborhood of Jurica is located here.
• Epigmenio González: This borough is mostly residential and located on hilly land. The former airport will become the third campus of the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. (Population: 125,000; Area: 68 km²)
• Josefa Vergara y Hernández: This area is on the slopes of the Cerro del Cimatario. Its eastern part, known as Centro Sur, includes the stadium, bus station, and city hall. (Population: 200,000; Area: 33 km²)
• Felipe Carrillo Puerto: The western part of this borough is rural and includes the town of Tlacote, known for its water springs. The eastern part is urban and connected to the rest of the city, with industrial areas (Kellogg’s) and military facilities.
• Cayetano Rubio: This is a residential area that includes the town of Hercules, a small village-like area located between steep hills along the Río Querétaro.

Each borough has a mayor, called a delegado, who is appointed by the city mayor. However, there have been efforts to change this system so that people can vote for these positions.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1996, the historic center of Querétaro was declared a World Heritage Site in 2009 and named a "Design City" by UNESCO in 2017. According to UNESCO’s website, the old colonial town of Querétaro is unusual because it kept the geometric street plan of the Spanish conquerors along with the winding alleys of the Otomi neighborhoods. The Otomi, Tarasco, Chichimeca, and Spanish people lived together peacefully in the town, sharing similar living conditions. This was rare at the time, as Indigenous and Hispanic people in other parts of the country often lived separately and had very different levels of wealth.

This peaceful coexistence and similar social integration happened because the local Indigenous groups and Spanish people reached peace early after meeting. The Indigenous people kept their own economic and social systems, while the Criollos lived in a separate but connected society within the city. The city is known for its many beautiful civil and religious Baroque monuments from its important period in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 2008, National Geographic Traveler listed Querétaro as one of the top 15 historic destinations in the world.

Notable sites

The most noticeable feature of the city is the large aqueduct of Querétaro, which has seventy-four arches. Each arch is twenty meters wide, and the aqueduct is 1,280 meters long. It stands about 23 meters high. The Marquis Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana built it between 1726 and 1738. The nuns of the Santa Clara Convent asked for it to bring water to the city from La Cañada.

Most of Querétaro’s famous places are in the historic center. This area is easy to walk in and has many buildings from the colonial period. The local government keeps this area clean with workers who sweep the streets. Vendors are allowed to sell but are not permitted to block roads or sidewalks. In the evening, people walk through the plazas and visit restaurants, cafes, and food stands. One way to explore this area is the Noche de Leyendas (Night of Legends), which combines interactive theater with storytelling. Actors guide visitors through the streets, sharing stories about the city’s history. The event starts at the main plaza, Plaza de Armas, with a reenactment of the Carambada legend. Then, the show moves through the streets, telling stories about bandits, love, and myths. These stories ask the audience to speak lines and join in discussions.

In the center of downtown is the Church of San Francisco. It was completed at the start of the 18th century and became the most important church in the city. It served as the cathedral until the 20th century. The church and its cloister are all that remain of a larger complex that once included several chapels and an orchard. On the church’s front, there is a carving showing Saint James fighting the Moors and cutting off one of their heads. The main altar is Neoclassical and replaced a Baroque design that was once considered a masterpiece. This has happened often in the city; many Baroque altars were either taken or replaced by newer designs. Older Baroque side altarpieces still remain and are covered in gold leaf. Other important items include a large Baroque music stand and the choir seats, both made by architect Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras in the 18th century. The church also has sculptures by Mariano Montenegro and Mariano Arce.

The church’s cloister is now the Museo Regional (Regional Museum). It was built between 1660 and 1698 and housed a monastery, the first in the city. The Franciscans built it to spread Christianity to the local people. The museum’s architecture reflects the simple style of Franciscan buildings. It displays items from the pre-Hispanic, colonial, and post-Independence periods of the region’s history. The Plaza de la Constitución and Jardin Zenea plaza (named after liberal governor Benito Zenea) were once part of the church and monastery’s atrium. This area is crowded every night and on Sundays when the city band plays music from the 1940s to the 1960s.

The Plaza de Independencia, also called Plaza de Armas, is the oldest part of the city. It is filled with Indian laurel trees and surrounded by outdoor restaurants and colonial buildings. The streets here are made of cobblestones and have names like La Calle de Bimbo and Callejón del Ciego. In the center of the plaza is a fountain honoring Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, who built the aqueduct. Around the plaza are the Galeria Libertad (Libertad Gallery) and the Casa de Ecala (Ecala House), an 18th-century mansion with large balconies and wrought iron. The most famous building on this plaza is the Palacio de la Corregidora.

The Palacio de la Corregidora was originally called the Casas Reales y Cárceles (Royal Houses and Jails). It now houses the government of Querétaro. Its name comes from Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, the wife of the city’s mayor. Ortiz de Domínguez is a hero of the Mexican War of Independence and the 1810 Conspiracy that started the war. Her final resting place is the Mausoleum of the Corregidora.

The Church and ex-monastery of San Felipe Neri was built between 1786 and 1805. It was opened by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who also led the first Mass there. In 1921, Pope Benedict XV declared this church the Cathedral of Querétaro. The church is made of tezontle and has altarpieces of cantera stone. Its front shows the change from Baroque to Neoclassical style and is considered the last Baroque facade in the city. Inside, the nave is simple and completely Neoclassical. The old monastery now houses the Ministry of Urban Development and Public Works and is called the Palace of Conín.

The Church and ex-convent of Santa Rosa de Viterbo was built by Alarife Ignacio Maraiano de las Casas and funded by José Velasquez de Lorea, finishing in 1752. The church has two entrances, a common feature for convent churches. The two arches have carved faces placed by Casas to mock those who doubted his ability to complete the building. The outside has scroll-shaped flying buttresses, unique to Querétaro. The tower has a special shape and is topped with a pyramid-shaped crest. Inside, the entrance has a Churrigueresque-style doorway and an image of Saint Rose. The most notable feature inside is a pulpit decorated with ivory, nacre, turtle shell, and silver. The altarpieces are covered in gold and follow the Querétaro Baroque style. The entrance to the sacristy has paintings of José Velazquez de Lore and Sor Ana María de San Francisco y Neve. The convent was later expanded by Juan Caballero y Osio. The nuns began teaching children and by 1727, the convent became the Royal College of Santa Rosa. The convent was closed in 1861 due to the Reform Laws and used as a hospital for about 100 years. Today, the convent is home to the Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Artes Graficas Mexico

Sister cities

• Bakersfield, California, United States
• Orange, California, United States
• Holland, Michigan, United States
• Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
• Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba
• Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
• Santiago de Chile, Chile
• Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
• Guácimo, Limón Province, Costa Rica
• Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
• Moravia, San José Province, Costa Rica
• Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
• Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
• Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
• Tuxtla, Chiapas, Mexico

Gallery

• A street in the historic area of Querétaro
• Aqueduct
• Cathedral of Querétaro
• Casa de la Corregidora
• San Francisco church
• Historic center of Querétaro
• Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez Mausoleum
• Santa Rosa de Viterbo

Notable Natives

• Diego Pacheco (born 1995) – footballer
• Francisco León de la Barra – president of Mexico from May 25, 1911 to November 26,1911
• Manuel Gómez Pedraza – president of Mexico from December 24, 1832 to March 31, 1833 /think