Dolores Hidalgo Cuna de la Independencia Nacional is the name of the Mexican city where in the morning of September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the bells of the Dolores Hidalgo parish launching the famous Grito de Independencia or Cry of Independence which invited people to rebel against the Spanish authorities of New Spain. This historic event left its mark not only on the Mexican people but on this city as well, giving it its full name, Dolores Hidalgo Cuna de la Independencia Nacional or the cradle of Mexico's independence.

State: Guanajuato

Coordinates:
Lat. 20° 51'-21°21' Long. 100° 38'-101° 13'

Altitude: 1800-2800 meters above sea level

Area:
km²

Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6

Population: 134,642 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)

Area Code: 418

The beautiful architecture of Dolores Hidalgo is concentrated in the historic center. You can see fine examples of religious architecture built between the 18th and 20th centuries such as the Parish of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores and the Parish of la Asunción, as well as the Visitas House, and the Mariano Abasolo House; the same place where President Benito Juarez and the Emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg stayed.

Other attractions that you cannot miss are the Heroes of Independence Monument, the Independence Museum, and the museum and mausoleum of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of Mexican music, José Alfredo Jiménez.

The typical crafts of Dolores Hidalgo are Talavera, pottery pieces such as vases, pots and jars, and beautiful ceramic pieces made with handmade ornaments.

Among its culinary gem is the typical Dolores ice cream whose flavors are beyond imagination: beer, shrimp, cheese, tuna, and many more. The typical local dish is the beef brisket of victuals and barbecue cooked in maguey leaves.

How to get there?

Dolores Hidalgo is located in the northern part of the state of Guanajuato, bordered to the north by San Diego de la Union, the east with San Luis de la Paz and Allende, Guanajuato to the south and to the west with the municipality of San Felipe.

To reach Dolores it is necessary to take Federal Highway 110 or State Highway No. 51 Dolores Hidalgo-Celaya.


Distance from Dolores Hidalgo to other destinations in Mexico

• San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato: 41 km.
• Guanajuato, Guanajuato: 62 km.
• Celaya, Guanajuato: 91 km.
• León, Guanajuato: 116 km.
• Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro: 133 km.
• San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí: 148 km.
• Morelia, Michoacán: 228 km.
• Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes: 231 km.
• Guadalajara, Jalisco: 332 km.
• Mexico City, Federal District: 340 km.
• Puebla, Puebla: 456 km.
• Monterrey, Nuevo León: 650 km.

Climate

Dolores Hidalgo has a semi-arid climate with an annual average temperature of 17°C.

The maximum temperature is 36°C in the summer and a minimum 3 ° C in the winter.

Rain can occur from May to September.

What to pack?

Spring-Summer: Light clothing, sandals, sleeveless shirts, comfortable shoes, and a light sweater for the evening.

Fall-Winter: Long pants, coat, scarf, boots, and gloves.

Tourist attractions in Dolores Hidalgo

Temple of the Tercera Orden. Parish of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, Parish of la Asunción.

Flag Monument. Mausoleum of Jose Alfredo Jimenez. Heroes of the Independence Monument. Hidalgo Monument.

Independence Museum.

Jose Alfredo Jimenez House Museum.

Mariano Abasolo House.

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla House Museum.

Independencia Market, Hidalgo Market.

Feasts and Festivals in Dolores Hidalgo

Fridays and Saturdays: Lights of History and Freedom.

August: Mosaic Craft Exhibition.

September: Grape Harvest Festival (Fiesta de la Vendimia), Parade on horseback through the Route of Independence.

September 10-17: Fiestas Patrias, Commemoration of the Independence of Mexico.

November 1 and 2: Day of the Dead and Dead Altars Contest.

November 15: Myths and Legends Contest.

November 18: Mariachi Festival.

November 20: Parade of the Revolution.

November 22: International Festival of José Alfredo Jiménez.

November 23 Feast of Santa Cecilia.

November 28: Feast of the Purísima.

December 12: Day of the Virgen de Guadalupe.

December 22: Holiday Artisan Expo Market.