Aguascalientes Things to Do

The central municipal building was built in 1700 and is a joy to be seen. It currently houses various government offices throughout its two floors. But besides the beautiful architecture it also has a number of extremely detailed murals on many of its inner walls.

In this neoclassical theater, in October 1914, while the Great War was raging in Europe, the generals of the factions that had sprung up from the Revolution came together to sort out a possible new Mexico. United in their goal of toppling General Victoriano Huerta from power - usurped after the murder of Francisco Madero and his brother - the factions had begun to split apart into two general groups - those supporting the Coahuilan governor, Venustiano Carranza and those supporting Francisco Villa, literally a former bandit turned general. A third group - those backing Emiliano Zapata in Morelos State - supported Villa but were never to keen about extending themselves or their power much beyond the borders of their own small State. And there were others who did not really come out for one side or the other, preferring to bide their time and keep alliances with both sides - Alvaro Obregon.

The alliance which backed the results of the Convention - Conventionistas - was never very stable or united, but they were more numerous and strong in the beginning of the next Revolutionary phase - leading to the expulsion of Huerta from Mexico; the famous pictures of Villa and Zapata sitting on the presidential chair in Mexico City; and the promotion of a Conventionista to the Presidency of Mexico. Carranza's group did not recognize the Conventionistas as the government of Mexico. They set up there operations along the Gulf of Mexico and in the southeast and eventually defeated Villa in huge battles fought in the Baijo region - most notably, the battle of Celaya, in 1915. Some of the ideals reached by members of the Convention were, however, to be carried forward into the Contitution of 1917.

This church (located south of the city center) had what I thought was a very interesting exterior - a good example of Mexican baroque style. The 'estipite' style pilasters on the main facade, and the crazy curves of the side portal caught my attention. This is late Baroque - and the influence of Neoclassical elements can be seen on the tower. It is located next to the Posada Museum which should probably be listed as an additional 'Must See' activity in AGS.
The church and museum are located in the Trianon area of town. (Trivia, 'Encino' is Spanish for Helm Oak. ) The church was originally dedicated to the Archangel Michael, in 1764. Construction of the current church beagn in 1773, and dedication took place in 1796.
The feast day of November 13th is when the city celebrates the miraculous Señor.
The church boasts a legend related to the black Christ figure located inside - Our Lord of the Encino. According to the legend, a resident of the neighborhood cut down an oak tree, revealing the miraculous image of Jesus inside the trunk.
Also worth mentioning are the large paintings decorating the interior that depict the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis). The paintings were done in 1798 by Andrés López.

The San Marcos Fair has been held in Aguascalientes every Spring since 1828! It's centered around a small church but it has expanded throughout the downtown area.

It features shopping, shows, bullfights, amusement rides, and lots & lots of food & drink!

Here's some more detail on it.

In the center of the city, below the tall statue is a beautiful fountain that is especially wonderful to be near when it's hot outside.

The fountain serves as a meeting place for many locals to meet and hang out near.

Dating back to 1665, the Palacio is located on the south side of the Plaza. Originally built as a house, today serving as the government headquarters for Aguascalientes State. Within the courtyard are a grand series of arches, pillars and staircases. Huge murals painted by Chilean Osvaldo Barra - a student of Diego Rivera's - depict the forces that have formed Aguascalientes and on another - the 1914 Convention of Aguascalientes, one of the most important events in the Mexican Revolution. At the Convention, delegates from competing factions came together to try and define a new Mexico from the ruins of the years of the Porfiriato and Huerta. Some of the ideas from the convention were to be carried on in to the constitution of 1917 - still in use in Mexico - but the Convention really served as a starting point for the next stage of the Revolution as factions crystallized behind those supporting the Coahuila governor, Venustiano Carranza, who demanded a pre-constitution - known as Constitutionalistas - and those who supported the ideas of the Convention - Francisco Villa, Emiliano Zapata and others to be known as the Conventionistas. The latter group had the upper part until the huge battles of 1915 - Celaya - broke their power. That would be accomplished by Alvaro Obregon, a man who kept his feet in both camps for as long as he could.

Located on the west side of the Plaza, the 18th century baroque cathedral is much more ornate on the interior. There are several paintings within done by Miguel Cabrera - one of the best-known Mexican painters of the 18th century.

Ground zero for Aguascalientes , here is where a visitor will want to start their explorations from. The cathedral, State Capital, the Teatro Morelos and the huge eagle/serpent statue are all here. Like many zocalos in Mexico, the Plaza also serves as the front porch/living room for the City-State.