21.0186, -101.2591
Guanajuato, Mexico
Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato became the world's leading silver-extraction centre in the 18th century. This past can be seen in its 'subterranean streets' and the 'Boca del Inferno', a mineshaft that plunges a breathtaking 600 m. The town's fine Baroque and neoclassical buildings, resulting from the prosperity of the mines, have influenced buildings throughout central Mexico. The churches of La Compañía and La Valenciana are considered to be among the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America. Guanajuato was also witness to events which changed the history of the country.
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Guanajuato is a municipality in central Mexico and the capital of the state of Guanajuato. It is part of the Bajío macroregion. The city is built in a narrow valley, which gives its streets a winding layout; many are narrow alleys inaccessible to cars, while others consist of long stairways up the mountainsides. Several of its thoroughfares run partially or entirely underground. Its historic center contains numerous small plazas and colonial-era mansions, churches, and civic buildings constructed from pink or green sandstone. The historic center and adjacent mines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
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