Chihuahua Sights

  1. Ángel de la Libertad Statue

    Represents the freedom of the Mexican people. A laser shoots out of its sword during special events.

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  2. Casa Chihuahua

    Chihuahua's former Palacio Federal is now a Cultural Center with several historical galleries and events every Thursday night. The most famous gallery is the Calabazo de Hidalgo, where Miguel Hidalgo was held prior to his execution. Then part of a Jesuit convent, the dungeon was incorporated first into the new Mint and later the present structure after each building was razed.

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  3. Casa Redonda

    Filling a former railroad roundhouse, Casa Redonda now hosts the local museum of contemporary arts, which brings in art from around Mexico (there was a Diego Rivera retrospective last time we visited), and also a few train relics.

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  4. Casa Siglo XIX

    Casa Siglo XIX, a restored colonial gem of a building, has temporary galleries in the front and small-scale models of the massive metal sculptures by renowned Chihuahuan artist Sebastián, whose work rises in cities around the world, in back. You can see several of the real things around town, including one at the top of Parque el Palomar in the city's northwest.

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  5. Cathedral

    The majestic Cathedral, built between 1725 and 1826, presides over the bustle of the Plaza de Armas. Behind its marvelous baroque facade is an altar of Italian marble and the original organ installed in 1796.

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  6. Galería de Armas

    Galería de Armas has a variety of guns and swords from the Independence era.

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  7. Las Grutas de Nombre de Dios

    This cave on the north side of town has some impressive stalagmites, stalactites and other rock formations, making the one-hour, 17-room underground journey fun, especially for kids. To get there either take a taxi (around $70 ) or a 'Nombre de Dios Ojo' bus (around $5 ) from the corner of Calle 4 and Niños Héroes. Ask the driver to tell you when to get off.

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  8. Mining Museum

    Though it's just on the outskirts of Chihuahua, the historic hillside mining village of Santa Eulalia feels worlds away. The area's first silver was dug out of these mountains in the 17th century and the mines are still going strong. The library (the new orange building) has a little Mining Museum.

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  9. Museo de Arte Sacro

    On the southeast side of the cathedral is the entrance to the small Museo de Arte Sacro, which displays dozens of religious paintings from the big names of the 18th century, including Miguel Cabrera, plus a chair used by Pope John Paul II during his 1990 visit.

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  10. Museo de Hidalgo

    Museo de Hidalgo honors its namesake.

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  12. Museo de la Lealtad Republicana

    Casa de Juárez, the home and office of Benito Juárez during the period of French occupation, now houses the Museo de la Lealtad Republicana. It maintains an 1860s feel and exhibits documents signed by the great reformer as well as a replicas of his furniture and horse-drawn carriage.

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  13. Museo del Mamuth

    A so-so natural history museum with lots of rocks and fossils on display, including an 18,000-year-old mammoth and a giant grey whale skeleton.

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  14. Museo Histórico de la Revolución Mexicana

    Housed in Quinta Luz, a 48-room mansion and former headquarters of Pancho Villa, the Museo Histórico de la Revolución Mexicana is a must-see, not only for history buffs but for anyone who appreciates a good made-for-Hollywood story of crime, stakeouts and riches.

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  15. Museo Semilla

    An excellent hands-on science center that's often full of school groups.

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  16. Museo Tariké

    The seldom-visited Museo Tariké near Quinta Luz covers the history of the city. The old photos are generally more interesting than the exhibits (labeled in Spanish only), but the rolling toilet used by miners is alone worth the trip.

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  17. Palacio de Gobierno

    The handsome, 19th-century Palacio de Gobierno features fantastic murals by Aaron Piña Mora showing the history of Chihuahua (grab the little guide explaining each of the paintings from the tourist office) surrounding the classic courtyard. On one side of the courtyard is a small room with a flickering 'eternal flame' marking the place where Father Hidalgo was shot. In back is a pair of small but good museums.

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  18. Quinta Gameros

    Manuel Gameros started building the bold, art nouveau Quinta Gameros in 1907 as a wedding present for his fiancée. By the time it was finished, four years later, she had died, the revolution had begun and the Gameros family had fled Mexico. Pancho Villa would later use it as offices. As if this story wasn't good enough, some tour guides tell that Gameros' fiancée fell for the architect, Julio Corredor of Colombia, and married him instead. Staff insist there's no truth to this tale.

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  19. Rock Shop

    Though it's just on the outskirts of Chihuahua, the historic hillside mining village of Santa Eulalia feels worlds away. The area's first silver was dug out of these mountains in the 17th century and the mines are still going strong. Take a look at Chino's Rock Shop just downhill from the church.

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  20. Templo de San Francisco

    A simple white church at the foot of Plaza Mayor, the city's oldest. Construction began in 1715. Hidalgo's decapitated body was interred here before being sent to Mexico City in 1827. Another 'eternal flame' marks the spot.

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