The secret is out...
San Miguel de Allende is located in the highlands of central Mexico, far from the coastline many of us imagine when we picture Mexico. It is a cobblestone-lined, artist-haven, jewel of a city. With its enjoyable climate year round, Spanish Colonial architecture, steel hills, elegant buildings, Catholic churches and colorful facades, it's a storybook setting. The artistic enclave and food-focused haven is not easy to get to, which has helped the area remain insulated and authentically Mexican. The culture and surroundings are enough to seduce visitors, and elicit dreams of moving here, as many Americans have.
San Miguel has great significance to Mexicans, too. It was the first town to declare independence from Spain during the Mexican War of Independence in the early 1800's. The city is the birthplace of Ignacio Allende, an officer in the Spanish army who switched sides and fought for Mexico. You can still feel the romantic, unspoiled charm of yesteryear as you explore the narrow streets - the preserved, old-time feels is part of the allure. In 1926, San Miguel was declared a historic monument city and laws were passed to safeguard it from modernism, meaning no traffic lights or neon signage to this day.