The cultural side of Aguascalientes can be explored through museum collections, sacred art and the history of a far-reaching overland route. The historic center and Jardín de San Marcos’s connection to the Feria Nacional de San Marcos add to these perspectives. You can focus on the city’s history, architecture and exhibitions according to your interests.

Museums and Collections

The Museo Regional de Historia de Aguascalientes preserves more than 2,000 objects in four galleries. Its themes are paleontology, archaeology, the history of religion and the Conquest. This arrangement brings together different areas of knowledge: natural history and archaeological topics sit alongside religious history and historical events. The museum thus offers a broad introduction to the city’s cultural history, rather than focusing on just one era.

The Antigua Estación del Ferrocarril is a museum at a historic site. Its collections include furniture, tools and objects from the past; it also has a gallery for temporary exhibitions by local and national artists. Unlike the regional museum, with its four thematic areas, this museum brings historical objects and changing art exhibitions together. This distinction may be helpful if you would rather focus your cultural trip on collections or art exhibitions.

Architecture and Sacred Art

The Templo del Señor del Encino is a particularly good place to understand architectural classifications through its named style elements: the temple features late Baroque architecture from the late 18th century, as well as early Neoclassical features. These are most evident in its three-part tower. The description thus brings together two styles in a single building and offers a specific point of interest for architecture enthusiasts.

At the Templo del Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, by contrast, the focus is on the interior. This includes sculptures and paintings, a Tecali pulpit, and a painting by José de Alcíbar dated 1777. The dated work provides a specific historical reference; the pulpit, sculptures and paintings represent different forms of sacred art. Comparing the two temples, architecture takes center stage at Señor del Encino, while the interior furnishings are the focus at the Santuario.

City Center and Historical Connections

The Centro Histórico de Aguascalientes includes protected historic buildings, gardens and museums. In 2010, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site. This makes it possible to understand the historic city center through both its buildings and green spaces and this designation. Jardín de San Marcos is the gateway to the Feria Nacional de San Marcos, adding a connection to the Feria to the city’s cultural themes.

Aguascalientes’ history also extends beyond the city: Aguascalientes was part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This historic route stretched for 2,600 kilometers, remained in use for more than 400 years, and connected the south of what is now the United States with Mexico City. The route’s scale makes clear the far-reaching historical context in which the city was situated.

Planning Your Stay

The Centro de Atención al Turismo in Aguascalientes provides maps, guidebooks, routes and information about the city’s attractions. The center also has a La Casa de las Artesanías sales outlet. It brings together different kinds of visitor information in one place to help with trip planning. The museum collections, architecture, artworks and historical connections provide the cultural focus; the materials and routes on offer help you find your way to the attractions.

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