San Sebastián was founded as a mining town in 1605, during the early Spanish colonial Viceroyalty of New Spain period. New Spain was a Spanish territory that came into existence in 1522, the year following 1521's Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire; the Viceroyalty of New Spain was created as the Royal administration of New Spain. It covered Mexico, Spanish Central America, Spain's Caribbean colonies, and parts of the Gulf Coast of North America, primarily La Florida. The Viceroyalty existed until independence was won by Mexico in 1821.
Gold, silver and lead were mined in the area. More than 25 mines and a number of foundries were established by 1785. Silver mining became the main driver of not only the economy of New Spain, but vastly enriched Spain, and transformed the global economy. For all the interesting details of Spain’s conquests beginning with Herman Cortes, check out Wikipedia’s New Spain article.
San Sebastian was formally established as a city in 1812. At one time a provincial capital and mining boom town of 30,000 people, you will find it strangely deserted with only about 900 people living there now.
I decided to leave the heat of PV behind for a day to visit San Sebastian and check out this historical mining town for myself. One option was to take a bus to La Estancia and hitchhike the last five miles. I learned of a La Cruz local taking small groups up the mountain in her Hiace Toyota van, a four cylinder Mexico model that had the look and feel of VW vans. A long-time La Cruz resident and USA expat, April (under the call sign Wave House) has several tours she promotes to cruisers over the morning radio net. It turned out to be a good choice as she has a wealth of knowledge about the area and was a great guide.
After picking up the group next to PV Sailing (a local sail loft), only two blocks from where I was staying, she drove us towards the mountains, through Las Palmas and reached La Estancia after about an hour. The final miles were over dirt and cobblestone roads flanked by trees and white houses with red trim. The first order of business after we arrived was lunch at the La Lupita's restaurant to have lunch. We developed a hunger after hiking the trail to the St. Gertrude mine. The air was cooler here at 4,500 feet.
After lunch we explored this sleepy town for an hour-and-a-half starting with the main plaza which had a gazebo stage as many plazas do. There were several eateries in addition to Lupita’s only a few lodging facilities. April recommended Hotel El Puente ($18/night) for its basic but tranquil surroundings. It was a step back in time; the old adobe houses and signs looked like they were straight out of a Clint Eastwood film.
Gold, silver and lead were mined in the area. More than 25 mines and a number of foundries were established by 1785. Silver mining became the main driver of not only the economy of New Spain, but vastly enriched Spain, and transformed the global economy. For all the interesting details of Spain’s conquests beginning with Herman Cortes, check out Wikipedia’s New Spain article.
San Sebastian was formally established as a city in 1812. At one time a provincial capital and mining boom town of 30,000 people, you will find it strangely deserted with only about 900 people living there now.
I decided to leave the heat of PV behind for a day to visit San Sebastian and check out this historical mining town for myself. One option was to take a bus to La Estancia and hitchhike the last five miles. I learned of a La Cruz local taking small groups up the mountain in her Hiace Toyota van, a four cylinder Mexico model that had the look and feel of VW vans. A long-time La Cruz resident and USA expat, April (under the call sign Wave House) has several tours she promotes to cruisers over the morning radio net. It turned out to be a good choice as she has a wealth of knowledge about the area and was a great guide.
After picking up the group next to PV Sailing (a local sail loft), only two blocks from where I was staying, she drove us towards the mountains, through Las Palmas and reached La Estancia after about an hour. The final miles were over dirt and cobblestone roads flanked by trees and white houses with red trim. The first order of business after we arrived was lunch at the La Lupita's restaurant to have lunch. We developed a hunger after hiking the trail to the St. Gertrude mine. The air was cooler here at 4,500 feet.
After lunch we explored this sleepy town for an hour-and-a-half starting with the main plaza which had a gazebo stage as many plazas do. There were several eateries in addition to Lupita’s only a few lodging facilities. April recommended Hotel El Puente ($18/night) for its basic but tranquil surroundings. It was a step back in time; the old adobe houses and signs looked like they were straight out of a Clint Eastwood film.
La Lupita restaurant
The 7-person group and the guide, April, enjoyed a family-style lunch for 120 pesos each gathered around a big table. Everything was fresh, flavorful and tasty in this family-owned restaurant The service was great and the place was neatly decorated with bright colored table cloths and dishes. Big pitchers of "aqua fresca," a fruit flavored water, were waiting on the tables. The server ladies brought multiple plates of chips and salsas, quesadillas, shredded pork, red spicy rice, chicken mole, frijoles (refried beans) and home-made tortillas. It was the meal of the day. Afterwards, we were served small plates of dessert which tasted like a cross between a flan and rice pudding. All in all, its was a very good Mexican meal in an authentic atmosphere at the Comedor la Lupita. The comedor (Mexican dining room) was named after the daughter of the owner, Lupita.
The church is always located near the town plaza and most pueblos have both. Plazas serve as an important place in Mexican pueblos. Located near the center of the pueblo, the plaza is where the most important buildings are located, such as the church (most importantly), city hall, market, hospital, etc. Regardless of size or population, the Mexican town is organized around the plaza. It is here where key events take place: festivals, national celebrations, social gatherings, music concerts, and political events.
The church, dedicated to the town's patron saint, San Sebastian, was originally constructed in 1608 but was rebuilt in 1868 after an earthquake hit the area. At the time, Catholic church governance was all the locals knew. The Church of Saint Sebastian was designed in the colonial Spanish baroque style. It has notable architectural details, including Corinthian columns and ceiling vault frescos. The town celebrates its patron saint with a week-long festival which starts in late January of each year.
The church, dedicated to the town's patron saint, San Sebastian, was originally constructed in 1608 but was rebuilt in 1868 after an earthquake hit the area. At the time, Catholic church governance was all the locals knew. The Church of Saint Sebastian was designed in the colonial Spanish baroque style. It has notable architectural details, including Corinthian columns and ceiling vault frescos. The town celebrates its patron saint with a week-long festival which starts in late January of each year.
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