Salvatierra

Salvatierra is a wonderful small city of some 95,000 residents. At home in its own striking region, the Guatzindeo Valley, this older name get translated to something like place of beautiful vegetation. Founded in 1644 as San Andrés de Salvatierra, the town has always been marvelous, from the spectacular little town center, the Capuchin Garden, and off to the El Sabinal eco park Salvatierra is a lush mix of deeply historical and ever-renewing natural landscape. Even the main church in town, Nuestra Señora de la Luz seems to bear witness to the history of the town as a place of light, even enlightenment. 

As a small city, visitors get the advantages of an advanced infrastructure and every comfort. But perhaps most interesting, the town is laid out around the magnificent, multi-storied Mercado Hidalgo on its own diamond shaped city block. It opened at the very waning twilight of the Porfiriato in 1912. As such, the market is a glorious Neo-classical tribute to trade and community. Cooks compete to serve the best mole de Urireo, the local specialty named for the neighboring community from which it originates. The dish is especially celebrated, practically the centerpiece, of festivities that break out every August 15. The town also celebrates the Feast of the Candelaria at the end of every January and beginning of February. 

Salvatierra is a land of tremendous architectural monumentalism, and on the side of one of those relatively rare south-north flowing rivers. In this case, the beloved Lerma river undulates along a carefully cultivated path up the west side of town. The old Carmen Temple and Convent, the Capuchin Convent, and that of San Francisco, together make it a spellbinding place to visit, just to walk the streets and the alleys of the center.  

Salvatierra is some 45 minutes south of Celaya. That will make it a major destination when the Guadalajara - Mexico City train resumes service in the next few years. The town is even closer to Yuriria which often makes it part of a double trip to the two magical towns. Anáhuac runs direct buses south from Celaya. Occidente may make you change buses in Tarimoro, which is about 25 minutes to the east.