Biblioteca Pública AC.

LA BIBLIOTECA TOURS

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House & Garden Tour

Experience an exclusive guided walking tour of some of the most beautiful houses and gardens of San Miguel.

If you have ever wondered what is behind the interesting doors you see throughout this colonial city, then this is the tour for you.

Come with us to explore the wonders beyond the closed doors!

Purchase your tickets in advance at La Biblioteca store from Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m.

Fridays at noon  | $500 pesos per person

*The homes included varies according to which ones are currently available. 

**La Biblioteca is not responsible for accidents outside the Library building.

***IF you have mobility issues please let our staff know.

This Friday, March 29th, we will visit:

Our first impression upon entering this space is bound to be dominated by a restored 150 year-old mesquite tree that was practically dead when the owners bought the property.  They are in the process of bringing it back to health and planned the casita footprint around saving the tree.  

We walk across a Japanese bridge spanning a koi pond to the casita.  What guest wouldn’t be charmed with a four-poster bed, and a bóveda (domed brick) ceiling.  There is even a mini kitchen for guests to make morning coffee!

Having appreciated the casita, it is time for us to stride back over the bridge, to and through the elaborate iron and glass front door.

This grand house was designed by renowned architect Gabor Goded and was only recently completed. 

The house’s many intricate bóveda (domed brick) ceilings will delight visitors and the high ceilings and abundant light give a sense of grandeur.  

The front entrance bóveda hallway even has skylights in it; imagine seeing a full moon shining through at night!  The foyer has another bóveda ceiling complete with an oculus.  

There are two patterned marble floors done by architecta Lis Bisgard in the Italian “Cosmati” technique in the entry Foyer and Principal bath.  The “Cosmati”  technique can be found in the Vatican and other major cathedrals in Italy.   

Inviting courtyards seem to be everywhere, beckoning the visitor to venture outside.  One of the courtyards has a fountain with angels, from which the name of the Casa is derived. 

The house is filled with a wide variety of artwork; pieces show the breadth of the owners’ taste.  Among the most prized by the owners are two by Rufino Tamayo.  

The living room has paintings by a New York artist friend JD Winer whose work is also exhibited in the NYC Visitors Center.  See if you can recognize two San Miguel centro scenes in two other paintings.  

The living room has a family heirloom of the wife’s – a hand-carved box created in the Philippines and inherited from the wife’s grandfather. 

There are ample husband and wife offices, so no need to share! 

Elegant bedrooms have en suite bathrooms.  Look up to appreciate the many different chandeliers.  The bar has a backlit glass and iron feature with onyx pendants.  

French wine posters indicate the owner’s love of fine wines; note the illuminated wine coolers.  

The wife loves to cook and this large kitchen can accommodate many guest onlookers and participants.  One’s eye is drawn to the mosaic over the cooktop.  The extensive pantry leaves no doubt that fine dining is an aspect of their San Miguel experience!

 Who wouldn’t love a red powder room with a quadripartite ceiling, complete with hand painted birds at the corners?  

The dining room ceiling features another quadripartite hand painted ceiling. 

The backyard area has a hot tub fed by a rock waterfall.  Outdoor arched lounge seating in front of the fireplace welcomes all.  

There is also an area for outdoor dining with Italian ceramics on the walls.  

A friend of the owner’s created a cross symbolic of the May 3rd blessing of the workers constructing the house.

 Enjoy this refined, relaxed living experience while you can!

“ It is behind the walls you see how we live”

People fortunate enough to be on La Biblioteca tour this Friday will have a rich reward. The estate contains two houses. Both houses are quite close to each other, only one, 100-pesos cab fare from centro.

Our hosts have spent a lifetime collecting beautiful objects and have agreed to share their histories with you. 

Upon entering the living room you will see an elaborately-beaded matador’s costume dating from the early 1950’s. There’s a bit of blood on the pants. The owners hope it is the matador’s and not the bull’s!

Paintings are everywhere – abstracts, including landscapes, and portraits. There is an original woodcut by San Miguel’s famous Stirling Dickinson depicting the Mexican revolution. A collection of small antique dolls is artfully housed in a glass house.

The gardens are worthy of a palace. There are obelisks with antique streetlights, statuary, and fountains replete with koi and turtles!

A recently-built second house faces these gardens. 

Looking at the stone arches, no one would ever know that the building is only a few years old!

A turquoise wooden door dating to the 17th century is incorporated into a wall. 

Inside, visitors will be treated to what is arguably one of the finest personal collections of religious art in all of Mexico. Statues and paintings abound. A statue of Christ on the cross is 500 years old and is made from bamboo paste! 

The collection contains many ecclesiastical items. The statue of one saint was created in pieces. His head and hands were sculpted separately and later assembled, together with a robe on a wooden armature!

Imagine the elaborate banquet for twelve under the crystal chandelier in the dining room. 

The pervasive Christian collection suggests that you would be moved to say grace before any and all meals!

The kitchen is a riot of color with pottery plates, stained glass windows and colorful tiles. Antique tiles have been painstakingly recreated to maintain historic continuity.

The powder room has a hand-carved stone sink with the spout coming out of a “fantasy-man’s” mouth! 

As you leave the house don’t forget to admire the mask collection.

Another ghoulish head collection was created by the owner. One assemblage is created from hundreds of Milagros – pieces of silver jewelry suggesting miracles. 

In the small chapel, the owner has created an altar made of paper mache. It was displayed in the renowned church in Antotolico for several months before coming “home.

” You will be surprised to see the devil burning in hell at the lower left side. This depiction is unusual within the Catholic religion.

Coming back to the main house you will see an elaborate “Day of the Dead” skeleton warming itself next to the stone-carved outdoor fireplace. 

Visitors will leave through the owner’s jewelry store. The designs will delight you, and you may leave with a treasure!

“ It is behind the walls you see how we live”

CUADRADO-Tour

La Biblioteca Guided Tour

Get to know each corner of this XVII century building, listen to its history, and discover our activities.

 

Every Tuesday 11:00 a.m. | Patio  de La Biblioteca

 

In english 

 

Your donation is welcome.

 

Tour on demand: bonitakolb@gmail.com

Tikkun Eco Center

Beautiful oasis and inspiring community hub for environmental education, climate activism, and ecological restoration.

The visit includes an easy guided walking tour of the Tikkun grounds, gardens, and rainwater catchment tilapia ponds. An organic buffet lunch is provided along with a video presentation on permaculture, climate-change adaptation, and discussion of Tikkun`s transformative community work, including reforestation, watershed repair, and reservoir restoration projects.

Tours support Tikkun’s ecological restoration and education work in San Miguel.

Thursdays 10 AM to 2 PM | $1,350 pesos per person 

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Peña Bernal

Peña de Bernal and Tequisquiapan

Bernal, a marvelous “pueblo mágico” in the state of Querétaro, is famous for its Peña de Bernal, the third largest stone monolith in the world.  

The visit includes the center of the town of Bernal, the San Sebastián temple, the workshop of the Aurora looms, the mask museum, the church of Santa María of the Asumption, the artisanry market with its incredible ratan furniture, and a tasting of the best cheese and wine of the region.

9 AM to 5 PM | $1,700 pesos per person

Guanajuato

World heritage city about an hour from San Miguel.  

This tour includes an historical walking tour with a lecture about the famous painter Diego Rivera, a visit to the Juarez Theater and the Quijote Museum.  

You will be able to take fabulous pictures from the Pipila scenic lookout, and of the famous Guanajuato tunnels.  

You will also have time to visit the shops, bazars and restaurants. 

9 AM to 4 PM | $2,100 pesos per person 

Guanajuato
cañada

Archaeological zone, Cañada de la Virgen

At this archeological site you will be able to visit a pyramid and various other pre-Columbian structures attributed to ancient tribes affiliated with the Otomi between the years 450 and 1050 including a calendar aligned with the sun, the moon and constellations designed to mark the equinox, the solstice, and the seasons. 

The tour includes access to the site and a water bottle.  

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | $1,500 pesos per person 

Archaeological zone of Teotihuacán

This ancient pre-Columbian city emerged in the year 150 BC and continued to grow until about 800 AD when it was mysteriously abandoned.  

There is evidence that Teotihuacán was a multi ethnic city inhabited by Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Mayas and Totonacas.  

You can visit the Road of the Dead and view some of the largest pyramids of the world.

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM | $3,300 pesos per person

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Dolores Hidalgo and Atotonilco Sanctuary

City of great historical importance since it is the birthplace of national independence.  

It´s only 40 minutes away from San Miguel de Allende.  

You can visit the Miguel Hidalgo Museum, the father of Mexican Independence as well as the traditional Talavera tiles workshops.  

On the way back we will visit the Atotonilco Sanctuary which is a world heritage site.  

A place referred to as the Mexican Sistine Chapel because of its impressive frescos.  

We will also visit the paradise like Nirvana Restaurant.

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | $1,700 pesos per person

Querétaro

Famous for its architecture and history.  

You will visit its famous aqueduct, an ancient hydraulic structure that crosses the city.  

You will also visit the cementery where famous sons of the city are buried, the Santa Cruz Monastery, the regional museum of Querétaro, the Plaza de Armas, and the hill of the bells where the emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg was executed at the end of the French Invasion. 

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM | $2,000 pesos per person

Queretaro1
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Mineral de Pozos

Magical town since 2012, known as “Ghost Town”, for having been abandoned twice since its foundation.

In the surrounding area, centuries-old vestiges of mines and haciendas are still preserved.

You will visit the Center, Ex-Mina, Hacienda de 5 Señores, Hacienda Santa Brigida, Pre-Hispanic Music Workshop and Musical Instrument Shop.

$2,000 pesos per person

San Miguel Walking Tour

To get to know the wonders and corners of San Miguel de Allende, you have to walk.

We will take you to visit El Chorro, Benito Juarez Park, Instituto Allende, Bellas Artes, Casa del Conde de la Canal, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Casa de Ignacio Allende and the surrounding churches.

$800 pesos por persona

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Monarch Butterflies

Discover the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in the Angangueo forest, Sierra del Rosario, Michoacán.

Ride a horse through the enchanting forest, enjoy the return to the town of Angangueo on foot.

Complete your experience with the taste of authentic local cuisine, adding a delicious touch to your unforgettable adventure.

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM | $2,500 pesos per person

Buy your tickets at the TESOROS shop at La Biblioteca from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.  

Buy your tickets at least 2 days prior to the tour.

For individualized tours, we require a minimum of 3 participants.

No refunds for cancellations the same day as the tour.  

Tours must be paid for in cash unless special arrangements are made.

With your payment for the tours, you are contributing directly to the educational and cultural activities of La Biblioteca that benefit children and youth as part of our mission.

For more information contact us by email:  tours@labibliotecapublica.org or by telephone at 415 152 0293.