Querétaro Things to Do

Andodores are pedestrian only streets in the immediate historic center. Sections of them are set up with very organized system of cart sellers, as well as a myriad of shops and restaurants. The carts are all uniform, exactly the same, but give a good appearance. The andodores are lined with fountains and statues on cobblestone walkways. Often family type performers are there for hours. It appears that they are paid for by the city. At no time did we see a street performer pass a hat or accept money from anyone. Why don't they do that here? (In the U.S.)

Very impressive architecture. If you only go to a few churches here, this should be one. There is a beautiful plaza in front of the church.

From an article by Toni Dabbs called "Queretaro, Mexico
A colonial gem in a modern setting:"

Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo, a tall and stately church completed in 1752, is considered the crowning achievement of Ignacio Mariano de las Casas, an architect who left his mark throughout Queretaro. The unusual design incorporates inverted flying buttresses, each decorated with an impish mask sticking out its tongue.

Its interior is a Churrigueresque showcase, including: superbly carved retablos and confessional; pulpit inlaid with silver, ebony and ivory; life-size figures of the apostles at the Last Supper; Baroque organ, built in 1759 and still in use; and mural by Tresguerras depicting St. Rose of Viterbo surrounded by her nuns.

The dramatic arches of the aquaduct that provided sustinence to this great city for so many years are a source of pride for the locals. The best view point is at the "Mirador" at the end of Independencia.

We really enjoyed this tour. They provide tours in English. Ours was given by a resident American priest who was very informative. It was never a convent for nuns. It is an active seminary for priests. The architecture is interesting, especially insights on how the water was fed in to the place from the aqueduct, also the thorn bushes that grow thorns in the shape of a bush. A few interesting art pieces.

No admission fee, donations encouraged

A bit of the history from an article by Toni Dabbs called "Queretaro, Mexico:
A colonial gem in a modern setting" :

On a guided tour of Convento de la Santa Cruz, visitors can see a clay pipe system developed to receive water from the Aqueduct and distribute it throughout the monastery.

Established in the 16th century, Convento de la Santa Cruz stands on a former battleground atop a hill overlooking the old town, where the apparition of St. James on horseback convinced Otomi Indians to surrender to the conquistadors. Other miracles associated with the site include trees with cross-shaped thorns grown from a cane stuck in the ground by pious friar Antonio Margil de Jesus in 1697.

By the end of the 17th century, Convento de la Santa Cruz operated the first Catholic missionary school in the Americas, and it continues to serve as a religious school today.

The monastery also functioned as a fortress when forces loyal to Emperor Maximilian occupied it near the end of the Mexican War of Independence. Maximilian used it as his headquarters from February to May 1867. After his surrender and subsequent death sentence, he was confined at Convento de la Santa Cruz while he awaited the firing squad.

Historic home with a mystery involving a wealthy merchant who made a phrophecy that he would die in something like 21 years and did, some say along with his daughter who he had an incestuos relationship with. You cannot go inside. It is now the Department of Education.

Welcome to the "food court" - not really, but about 9 restaurants line the circumfrence of this lively plaza. It is always busy as it is the start of Andodore (Pedestrian walkway) 16 de September that connects it to Plaza de Armas. There is usually free entertainment at night, family type entertainers, performance art, acrobatics, and the like, very entertaining though! Sitting in any of the restaurants in this plaza and watching the local crowds is entertaining it itself.

There is always something going on in this plaza. One day we saw a big competition of some kind of high school ?color guards. The competition included students from at least 10 schools with a board of official judges. It was very interesting. Another day we sat to enjoy what seemed to be a large group of musicians, as more people came we realized it was a huge religious group, mainly getting together to sing, at least 250 in all. Two coffee shops are on this plaza. I frequented El Naranjo, with it's pricey, but delicious cappacino, at 25 Pesos. Edelweiss across the street has wonderful pasteries as well, but no outdoor seating.

This is the central Plaza in Queretaro. Let me just say though, it is just one of many very lively plazas in the city. There is literally always something going on here. In the evenings there is always free entertaininment that comes in many forms. All day on Saturday and Sunday there are performers. On Thursday and Saturday night they had big bands playing basically ballroom music for public dancing in the park - Literally hundreds of people walzting and fox trotting under the stars in the beautiful gardens. The bandstand was covered with scaffolding during our visit, but it didn't stop the music. I would really urge people to spend time in the area, enjoying the "culture" of the plaza. It's all home grown, filled with upper-middle class Mexicans enjoying their city, very much family entertainment with kids everywhere till all hours of the night. At the same time extremely safe.