The capital of the state of the same name was founded in 1531 as Santiago de Querétaro and was to be the focus of Mexican history several times in the following centuries. During the struggle for independence at the beginning of the 19th century, the house of Doña Josefa Ortíz, who became famous as “La Corregidora”, was the conspiratorial meeting place for the leaders of the independence movement.1848 the peace treaty between Mexico and the USA was concluded in Querétaro, which cost Mexico a large part of its national territory.
In 1867 the Habsburg Maximilian, installed as a the puppet emperor, was shot dead by the troops around Benito Juárez on the Cerro de las Campanas. In 1917 the first constitution after the Mexican Revolution was drawn up in Querétaro. The numerous churches, monasteries and city palaces in the historic centre, which today often house museums but also elegant restaurants and hotels, reflect this eventful history. Car-free streets and alleys, which often open to shady squares, turn walks into a pleasure.
Theatrical guided tours through the alleys at night during the so-called ‘Noches de Leyendas’ will give visitors an entertaining introduction to the legendary figures and events of the city’s history. Querétaro is also the natural starting point for visiting the Sierra Gorda with its barren or wooded mountain landscapes and the mission churches of the 18th century, which are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage.