If you love gardens, old sprawling haciendas, landscaping, photography, history, the beautiful and intriguing gardens of Europe, or you’re just ready to have an outdoor experience during your stay in Guanajuato, Mexico, do not miss the chance to visit the enchanting Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel Barrera. Located just a short distance from the central part of Guanajuato on the road to Marfil, it is relatively easy to get there and back from Guanajuato Centro by either taxi or by bus. A good friend of ours who has visited Guanajuato many times recommended this to us, and we can’t thank her enough for the suggestion. We ended up spending the better part of a day there exploring and photographing the gardens and the hacienda, and then before we left we enjoyed a meal and drinks at the lovely cafe on the grounds.
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So, where did this amazing hacienda come from and what led to it being built in this part of Mexico? A look into the history of this region shows that the discovery of silver in the mountains surrounding the Guanajuato River Valley in the 1500s is what really put Guanajuato on the map so to speak as it attracted many Spanish and other European explorers. By the 18th century Guanajuato was the largest silver producing region in the world, and as a result it had become the richest city in Mexico. Large haciendas were constructed in the area with the wealth obtained, and some of these haciendas were used for processing the precious metal. Unfortunately though, in order to work the mines and the metal processing factories the indigenous people were captured and forced into doing the hard manual labor, and as a result of poor working conditions and this forced labor the population diminished rapidly. So the beauty that is now on display here which we are privileged to enjoy came at a terrible price to the native people.
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The Exhacienda San Gabriel Barrera is one of several estates that were owned by Captain Gabriel de la Barrera, it’s about 5 acres in size and contains 17 gardens which were formerly used for the processing of the metal and for housing the laborers. The landscape architecture in these gardens is as amazing as anything we’ve seen in our travels. When you go, give yourself plenty of time to wander, sit, reflect, and photograph because as soon as you walk through one archway or up another stairway you discover a whole new area to take in, and you’ll find that time magically slips away. From the splendidly laid-out garden spaces, to the gorgeous large pottery pieces, to the beautiful water fountains, and the many stone, iron, and wood carved benches scattered throughout, the grounds will draw you into their magnificence and beauty. When you are ready to move on from the gardens and do some family life viewing, you can explore the former hacienda which is now the museum space and houses some fantastic old pieces of furniture, art work, historical decor, and personal belongings of the Barrera family allowing you to take a step back in time and imagine this fascinating snapshot of the people that lived here during this time period. Also, be sure to visit the private chapel where the altarpiece is covered in gold leaf and once stood in the cathedral in Jaen, Spain.
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One final note, do not underestimate the Cafe at the Exhacienda, La Ventina, which is located close to the entryway to the grounds. Often in a place like this you might expect marginal food and pay way too much for it…. but not here. We had a couple of beers, their made to order guacamole and a Salmon lunch, and we were quite impressed. Everything was fresh, delicious, and the price was very reasonable. The Cafe makes for a worthwhile break or a fitting conclusion to the day after all the walking around allowing you to reflect on the beauty and history you’ve just taken in.
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To see more images of Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel Barrera please visit our Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel Barrera Gallery page here.
To see all of our Guanajuato photos please visit our Guanajuato Gallery page here.
View galleries from all of our recent travels here.
– – Michael Guttman and Judy Terra, 2017
– – Photography by Michael Guttman and Judy Terra
These are amazing photos of an amazing place! Thank you both for sharing your travels and experiences!!!’ I feel like a true armchair traveler thanks to you.
OMG! I’ve been to Guanajuato twice now and never heard of this exquisite place. Absolutely on our itinerary for our next visit there. Love, love Guanajuato and keep thinking would like to spend 2-3 months there, you have encouraged that interest greatly! Thanks so much Judy and Michael for the lovely photos and great dialogue. Love, Kit
Wow..! Fabuloso.! My mom visited GTO twice, and marveled at its beauty.. Your journal and photos were exquisite.. You have found your calling..😍Bily