Cont. From Front Page,

At the time of the insurrection, San Miguel el Grande, as the city was then named, was governed by a council composed of Don Juan de Umarán and Justo Baca, criollos born in Mexico but of Spanish blood, and Don Francisco José de Landeta and Don Domingo de Berrio, both Spanish. The mayor, Ignacio Aldama (not to be confused with his brother, Captain Juan Aldama), was a criollo. The Spanish delegate was Don Pedro Jiménez de Ocón. 

The most powerful families in town were the Canals, Sauttos, Lámbarris, Malos, Landetas and Lanzagortas. Today, the descendants of the Sauttos own Hotel Sautto; the Fentons, owners of Villa Jacaranda, are also descendants of the Sauttos. The current Lámbarris are descendants of the Canal family, but the only local family member who still bears the surname is César Arias de la Canal, head of El Charco del Ingenio. Miguel Malo Zozaya, founder of Bellas Artes, was a descendant of the Malos. Most of the Spanish families fled the city after the war began. 

As with most uprisings, several factors fueled the conspirators’ zeal, among them the Spaniards’ abuse of indigenous peoples, Napoleon’s invasion of Spain, and news of a prior conspiracy in Valladolid (today, Morelia). Ignacio Allende, the brothers Ignacio and Juan Aldama, and Umarán and Baca began meeting in the house of Allende’s brother, under the guise of attending dances and parties, to plan a revolt against the Spanish government. 

Meanwhile in Querétaro, another group headed by Miguel Domínguez (the Viceroy’s representative in Querétaro) and his wife, Doña Josefa Ortiz, also began to conspire. Doña Josefa knew Allende and invited him to meetings in her house.

According to José Cornelio López Espinoza, a chronicler of San Miguel’s history, Allende invited Father Miguel Hidalgo, the parish priest of Dolores, to join the meetings. He had met Hidalgo in San Miguel where his brother, Joaquín, was the parish priest at the Parroquia. Allende knew that a priest would help the insurgents gain the support of the people.

The uprising was planned for October but Juan Arias, one of the conspirators in Querétaro, disclosed the plot. Miguel Domínguez did not want to be implicated, and fearing his wife’s impetuousness would lead them to ruin, he locked Doña Josefa in her room on September 15. By pounding on the floor with her shoe, she attracted the attention of Ignacio Pérez, the local jailer and a co-conspirator who worked downstairs. She asked him to go to San Miguel and tell Allende that they had been exposed and that most of the conspirators in Querétaro had been detained. When Pérez arrived in San Miguel it was already dark, and he could not find Allende, who was in Dolores at Hidalgo’s house. Instead, he found Juan Aldama on calle San Joaquín (now, Reloj) and relayed the message. Together they went to Dolores and relayed the message to Allende and Hidalgo.

The three main leaders of the rebellion decided to strike that very night, and early on the morning of Sunday, September 16, Hidalgo rang the bells of the Parroquia of Dolores, enjoining the crowd that gathered on the plaza to take up arms against the unjust Spanish government.

Headed by Hidalgo, Allende and Aldama, the insurgents left Dolores for San Miguel. They stopped at Hacienda La Erre and then at Atotoniclo, where they were cordially received by the priest Remigio González and residents offered water to the thirsty, improvised army. Hidalgo affixed an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe to a lance, and under this banner the rag-tag army, mostly Indians armed with machetes, shovels and sticks, continued their march to San Miguel.

Meanwhile in San Miguel, the Spanish city councilor Domingo de Berrio had received the news of Hidalgo and Allende’s uprising in Dolores and their advance on the city. The councilors and Mayor Aldama convened an emergency meeting at City Hall (Casas Reales, the former presidencia on Plaza Principal). Umarán proposed that the city council meet the insurgents at the entrance to the city, but the Spanish disagreed. At last, it was decided that Aldama and Baca would gather some horsemen and meet the rebels. This might have been Aldama’s idea, since he favored the insurrection. The two Spanish councilors, along with other Spanish residents, decided to barricade themselves in City Hall.

The insurgents reached San Miguel at sunset, making their way up what is now calle Canal to City Hall. Allende demanded that the Spanish surrender; they refused, saying they would only surrender to Colonel de la Canal, the military authority. The Colonel at last convinced them that all was lost and they could trust Allende to spare their lives.

The local Spaniards, along with others the rebels had brought from Dolores bound with rope, were held prisoner in the San Francisco de Sales College. In the streets, a mob sacked stores owned by councilor Landeta and Pedro de Lámbarri; Allende eventually halted the pillage and returned to his home. Hidalgo spent the night in what is now known as the House of the Conspirators.

At 4pm on September 17, the first independent city council was appointed, headed by Ignacio Aldama and including the priest Manuel Castilblanque, Felipe González, Miguel Vallejo, Domingo Unzaga and Vicente Umarán. After organizing an army of only 200 soldiers and 6,000 Indians, the insurgents left San Miguel el Grande on Wednesday, September 18, never to return to the city where independence was forged.

After taking San Miguel, the insurgents continued their campaign, fighting several battles in Guanajuato, Valladolid (Morelia), Mexico City, Guadalajara, Zacatecas, Saltillo, and, finally in Acatita de Baján, Chihuahua, where Allende, Hidalgo and Juan Aldama were captured and executed. Their heads were displayed in iron cages hung from the Alhóndiga de Granaditas (granary) in Guanajuato, along with the head of Mariano Jiménez.

Fiestas Patrias in San Miguel de Allende, September 14-30, 2007



Friday, September 14

10am, Mass, celebrates Charro’s Day, Lienzo Charro, Salida a Celaya

1:30pm, Arrival of horse riders from Querétaro, re-enactment of the conspirators ride in 1810 from Querétaro to San Miguel, Jardín

3pm, Concert, pre-Hispanic music, Collar de Viento, Teatro Santa Ana, Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25



Saturday, September 15

10am, Civic act, fraternal message from different municipalities, outside Museo de Casa Allende, Umarán & Cuna de Allende

5pm, Civic act, arrival of the Torch of Independence from Querétaro, Jardín

8pm, Dance performance, Ballet Mazatl from Casa de la Cultura, Jardín

10:45pm, Civic act, transferal of the Mexican flag to Casa de Allende, by Mayor Jesús Correa with the City Council, Casa de Allende, Umarán and Cuna de Allende

10:55, Arrival of the Torch of Independence, Jardín

11pm, “El Grito” ceremony (the Cry of Independence), from the balcony in Casa de Allende, by Mayor Jesús Correa, Jardín

11:10pm, Fireworks, Jardín

12am, Fair, Jardín 



Sunday, September 16

9am, Civic act, flower offerings and symbolic torch, Casa de Allende, Umarán and Cuna de Allende

11am, Military parade, commemorating the 197th anniversary of the Mexican Independence, departs from Ancha de San Antonio, then through Zacateros, Canal, Hernández Macías, Mesones, Núñez, San Francisco, and ends in the Jardín

6pm, Civic act, raising of the Mexican flag, in front of the ex-Presidencia building, opposite the Jardín

6:15pm, Parade, arrival of the “Insurgentes” to Main Square, departs Avenida Independencia, Insurgentes, Hernández Macías, Canal

6:15pm, Civic act, Independence Route Horse Ride, arrives at the ex-Presidencia building, in front of the Jardín

8pm, Dance performance, Folkloric Ballet of San Miguel, Jardín

9pm, Fireworks, Jardín



Monday, September 17

10am, Civic act, 197th anniversary of the first City Council in the Independent Mexico, Jardín



Wednesday, September 19

9am, Honors to the flag, with the Independence Route horse ride, in front of the ex-Presidencia building, opposite the Jardín



Thursday, September 20

5pm, Parade, Alborada review, leaving from Calzada de la Aurora and Puente de Guanajuato to meet on Hidalgo and Canal

8pm Parade with adorned cars, announcing the celebrations of Saint Michael Archangel, Jardín



Friday, September 21

5pm, Horse show, with horses of Pedro Domeq, Plaza de Toros de Oriente, Recreo, second block

6pm, San Miguel’s Fair opening, fairs facilities, behind Presidencia, Salida a Querétaro. (Fair will open at 6pm from Monday to Thursday, at 2pm on Fridays and at midday on weekends)



Saturday, September 22

12pm, Basketball match, Parque Juárez, Diezmo Viejo & Prolongación Aldama 

4pm, Bull fight, Plaza de Toros de Oriente, Recreo, 2nd block

9pm, Pop concert, Jesse & Joy, Fair facilities, behind Presidencia building, Salida a Querétaro



Sunday, September 23

1pm, Music, Jardín 

7pm, Music, Jardín

9pm, Rock & Roll concert, Locos del Ritmo, Fair facilities, behind Presidencia building, Salida a Querétaro



Thursday, September 27

10am, Civic act, commemorating the end of the Independence war, Casa de las Conspiraciones, Plaza Principal & Relox

8pm, Violin concert, in honor of St Michael Archangel, Jardín

9pm: Rock concert, Panteón Rococó, Fair facilities, behind Presidencia building, Salida a Querétaro

Friday, September 28

10am, Civic act, honoring El Pípila, Jardín 

5:15pm, Pilgrimage, from Colonia La Aurora, la Parroquia, in front of the Jardín

7pm, Concert, San Miguel composers, Plaza Cívica, Mesones



12am, Mañanitas, for St Michael Archangel, Parroquia, opposite the Jardín



Saturday, September 29

3am, Processions, from Valle del Maíz, La Aurora, with stars, mojgangas, rockets and fireworks, from Calle Núñez to Jardín


4am, Alborada, fireworks and rockets, Jardín

6am, Mañanitas, for St Michael Archangel, Parroquia, opposite the Jardín

8-11am, Pre-Hispanic dances, Jardín

11am, Mass for Saint Michael Archangel, Horse ride of San Martín, Parroquia

1pm, Voladores de Papantla, Jardín

2pm, Burn of cardboard “monitos,” Plaza Principal, in front the Jardín


3pm, Offerings for Santa Cruz del Cuarto, Crucero Calzada de la Estación

4pm, Pre-Hispanic dances, Calzada de la Estación

5pm, Entrance of Xúchiles, Main streets to Jardín 

7pm, Pre-Hispanic dances, Jardín and Plaza Cívica, Mesones 

8pm, Voladores de Papantla, Jardín

9pm, Fireworks, Jardín 



Sunday, September 30

7-9am, Pre-Hispanic dancers, Jardín and Plaza Cívica, Mesones

11am, Parade, pre-Hispanic dances, mojigangas, burn of fireworks and “Castillo,” from Ancha de San Antonio to Parroquia


1pm, Pre-Hispanic dances, to honor Fray Juan de San Miguel, in front of the Parroquia 

3-7pm, Voladores de Papantla, Jardín

9pm, Fireworks, Jardín

Buildings with a history of independence
By Jesús Ibarra

For the Fiestas Patrias, Atención San Miguel presents a profile of the main city buildings with history in the Mexican Independence movement.

Pipila Barranea (3) Panteón San Juan de Dios (4) Cuartel Dragones Recreo 6 (1)

In San Miguel

San Francisco de Sales College
Plaza Cívica, on Calle Mesones
The College was founded by the priests of the Oratorio church in 1734. From 1770 to 1783, the dean, Father Benito Díaz de Gamarra, converted it into a center for philosophy and liberal ideas, which produced the most famous students—(M)Ignacio Allende and the Aldama brothers. In 1810, the Spanish used the college to imprison some insurgents. 
The building was abandoned for many years until the University of León began classes in 2003.

Aldama house
Calle San Francisco No. 5
Brothers Ignacio, Prudencio and Juan Aldama were born here, between 1765 and 1775. The Spanish crown confiscated the property after the Independence uprising, and the imprisoned Aldama brothers were executed. The abandoned property was sold in the sixties to a movie company, and became the town’s local cinema until the eighties when it was again abandoned. It is currently for sale and its future is undetermined.

Store of Francisco José de Landeta
cnr San Francisco & Relox
This property was sacked by insurgents on September 16 and after various owners, it is now home to the bar La Coronela and Intercam currency exchange. 

Casa de las Conspiraciones (House of Conspiracies)
cnr Plaza Principal & Relox
Built in the mid 18th century by Ignacio Allende’s father, this house was where San Miguel conspirators gathered to plan the insurrection against the Spanish. Most historians claim it was owned by Ignacio’s brother Domingo de Allende, but city historian José Cornelio López Espinoza believes Domingo was already dead in 1810 and that it was owned by a third brother, José María. Currently, it is occupied by Dolphy and Dunkin Donuts.

Las Casas Reales (The Royal Houses, Old Presidencia Building)
opp Jardìn
Las Casas Reales was where the pre-Independence City Council met. Several Spanish residents locked themselves in the building to protect themselves from mobs of Insurgents. This was the site of the first Insurgent City Council.

Casa De la Canal
cnr Hidalgo & Canal
Built between 1720 and 1730 by Don Manuel Tomás de la Canal, grandfather of Colonel Narciso María Loreto de la Canal, and who was also the patron of the Virgin de Loreto chapel. It was bought in the 1920s by Don Albino García. It currently belongs to Banamex bank.

Casa de los Perros (House of Dogs)
Calle Umarán
Don Juan de Umarán, city councilor and conspirator, was owner of this house in 1810. It is currently the folk art gallery, Casa Maxwell.

Casa de Allende 
cnr Umarán & Cuna de Allende
Don Domingo de Allende y Ayerdi built the house between 1760 and 1762. Independence hero Ignacio Allende was born there. The Spanish crown confiscated it after the Independence uprising. In 1919, Don José María Vega, a pharmacist, installed a drugstore and it remained with the Vega family until 1979, when the last of the siblings, Guadalupe Vega, died. The heirs sold the property to the local government and it was converted into the city museum.

Casa de Don Luis Malo
Calle Cuna de Allende
The home of Don Luis Malo, friend and follower of Allende. It is now Posada Carmina.

Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel
The original church dates from 1688. The current façade was built around 1876. Ignacio Allende was baptized at the Parroquia on January 21, 1769, as well as the Aldama brothers and Juan José de los Reyes Martínez, known as El Pípila.

Joaquín Hidalgo y Costilla was the parish priest from 1783 to 1786. Father Miguel Hidalgo celebrated a mass at the Parroquia in 1784. On September 21, 1803, his brother died and Hidalgo celebrated the funeral mass in the Parroquia. Joaquín Hidalgo is buried close to the presbytery.

Casa Lanzagorta
Portal Guadalupe, opposite the Parroquia
The family home of Francisco Lanzagorta, a friend and follower of Allende. This building is currently occupied by small stores.

Casa de Loja
Calle Sollano No. 4
The house of Spanish city councilor Count Loja, the father of the Landeta family. This building is currently occupied by XESQ Radio San Miguel.

El Correo 
cnr Calle Correo & Corregidora
The current post office was also a post office in 1810 owned by the Sautto family. It also housed a chapel of the Franciscan nuns. The property was expropriated by the government in 1858.

Tienda de Don Pedro de Lámbarri (Barroso family house)
San Francisco No. 21
The store owned by Spaniards was attacked by the rebels in 1810. Allende however, protected the store from total looting. This is now the location of San Agustin, owned by actress Margarita Gralia. 

Casa de Don Domingo de Berrio
cnr Portal Guadalupe & San Francisco
The Spaniard Don Domingo, a city councilor in 1810, was imprisoned in San Francisco de Sales and died in Guanajuato during the insurgents’ attack of the Alhóndiga. 

Quarters of Dragones de la Reina (The Queen’s Dragons)
Recreo No. 6
The building was used as the headquarters and barracks for the special regiment. During the 20th century it was the headquarters for local unions, hence the name El Sindicato (the union), now it is home to the cultural space El Recreo.

La casa del Pípila
Barranca No. 44
This is the house where independence hero El Pípila was born. It is a private home now.

San Juan de Dios Cemetery
Calle San Antonio Abad
The cemetery was built in 1782 by Father Joaquín Hidalgo y Costilla, brother of the famous Father Miguel Hidalgo, to accommodate the victims of years of epidemics and hunger. The guerrilla fighter Bernardo Gómez de Lara, called “El Huacal”, lies at the cemetery’s common grave along with his guerrilla companions after having attacked San Miguel, a year after the insurgents had left.