Salvatierra

Salvatierra is an enchanting colonial town in Guanajuato, Mexico. The town has a fascinating history and a number of beautiful old churches in the historic Centro. Salvatierra is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.

Understand
Salvatierra is a small city with a population of about 35,000 (2020). The area was originally settled by the Chichimeca, who were then conquered by the Purhepecha. The Spanish conquistadors moved into the area around 1535 with the Franciscan missionaries in tow. A hacienda was established using indigenous slave labor. Unfortunately for the indigenous people, the Spanish shared smallpox with the locals, wiping out most of the indigenous population.

The town itself was established in 1644 as San Andrés de Salvatierra. Two years later, it was decreed to be a city (the first in the state of Guanajuato).

Salvatierra was the site of the Batalla del Puente de Batanes (Battle of Batanes Bridge) during the Mexican War of Independence in 1813. The Rayon brothers were leading a revolutionary army unit charged with holding the bridge against royalist troops under Agustin Iturbide. Cowardice ultimately won the battle as Rayon's men abandoned their posts, fleeing in fear, letting the royalists take not only the bridge, but the city of Salvatierra.

Get in
Salvatierra is about 90 minutes by car from Morelia, Queretaro or Irapuato, and about 2 hours from Guanajuato or almost 4 hours west of Mexico City.

By bus
Buses are generally the best way to get around in the Bajio region and most of the larger bus stations have buses going to Salvatierra. Many buses to Salvatierra will connect in Celaya.



Get around
Walking is the best way to get to know the historic downtown area (Centro) with its narrow cobblestone streets, plazas, and historic buildings. The town is fairly small, but large enough that you will want a taxi at times. A sitio is located near the Jardin de Salvatierra or your hotel front desk can call a radio taxi for you. Uber is also available.

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Festivals

 * Marquesada - Annual festival held in September. The most anticipated event is a "running of the bulls", similar to the one in Pamplona Spain. Participants run through the city streets, chased by marauding bulls. Those who successfully elude the bulls can enjoy midway games, regional food, and folkloric music and dance.


 * Festival Gastronómico de la Larga y la Quesadilla - Foodies unite in June to taste regional cuisine of Guanajuato when more than 30 local cooks will prepare traditional recipes. The term quesadilla refers to, well, quesadillas, and the term larga is local parlance for a long (hence the name larga) tortilla made over a wood-fired stove on an elongated comal. There are gastronomic workshops to learn regional cooking techniques and there is a contest in which chefs compete to come up with the most delicious modern fusion of a traditional food, as judged by a professional panel.

Eat
The town is known for several local delicacies, including sweets made with locally grown guava and peanuts. Mexican ice creams are usually higher quality than many foreigners are accustomed to. They are fresher, made with pure, natural ingredients without the emulsifiers, carrageenen and other additives that make mass-market commercial ice creams feel gummy or fake. Several towns are known for their outrageously innovative flavors that might include chiles, unusual fruits, tequila or mezcal, or something completely unexpected. In Salvatierra, the innovative ice creams are sold near the Zocalo (Jardin de Salvatierra).









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Connect
Cellular service is reliable in town and on all the major highways in the region. As of 2023, service is mostly 4G. Telcel is the major carrier. Most hotels, restaurants and public places have good internet service with available Wi-Fi.

Stay Safe
Salvatierra is usually safe however it is advised to be cautious at night. The plaza is safe and can be walked on during the night. There is a high presence of police in Salvatierra and there is always some in the plaza.

Recently there has been some gang violence in some neighborhoods however tourists are not targeted and should be fine.

Go next

 * Celaya
 * Queretaro
 * Morelia