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Aguascalientes State

The state of Aguascalientes is one of Mexico's smallest and its focus is squarely on the city of the same name. According to local legend, a kiss planted on the lips of dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna by the wife of a prominent local politician brought about the creation of a separate Aguascalientes state from neighboring Zacatecas.

Beyond the museum-rich capital city formal tourist sites are few, but it's a pleasant-enough drive en route to or from Zacatecas, through fertile lands of corn, beans, chilies, fruit and grain. The state's ranches produce beef cattle as well as bulls that are sacrificed at bullfights countrywide.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Aguascalientes State.

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Museo Nacional de la Muerte
The excellent Museo Nacional de la Muerte exhibits all things relating to Mexico's favorite subject – death – from the skeleton La Catrina to historic artifacts and modern depictions. The contents – over 2500 items, drawings, literature, textiles, toys and miniatures – were donated to the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes by collector and engraver, Octavio Bajonero Gil. Over 1200 are on display. They span several centuries, from Mesoamerican to contemporary artistic interpretations.
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Palacio de Gobierno
On the south side of Plaza de la Patria, the red-and-pink stone Palacio de Gobierno is Aguascalientes' most noteworthy colonial building. Once the mansion of colonial baron Marqués de Guadalupe, it dates from 1665 and has a striking courtyard with two levels of murals. Many government buildings in Mexico have wall murals but these ones really are something special.
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Museo José Guadalupe Posada
Aguascalientes native José Guadalupe Posada (1852−1913) was in many ways the founder of modern Mexican art. His engravings and satirical cartoons broadened the audience for art in Mexico, highlighted social problems and were a catalyst in the later mural phase, influencing artists including Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and Alfaro David Siqueiros. Posada’s hallmark is the calavera (skull or skeleton) and many of his calavera engravings have been widely reproduced. This modern and well-lit museum showcases some of his work.
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Museo de Aguascalientes
Housed in a handsome neoclassical building dating to 1903, this museum houses a permanent collection of work by the brilliant Aguascalientes artist Saturnino Herrán (1887−1918), and there are also temporary exhibitions. His works are some of the first to honestly depict the Mexican people. The sensual sculpture Malgretout on the patio is a fiberglass copy of the marble original by Jesús Fructuoso Contreras.
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Catedral
The well-restored 18th-century baroque cathedral, on the plaza's west side, is more magnificent inside than out. Over the altar at the east end of the south aisle is a painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe by Miguel Cabrera. There are more works by Cabrera, colonial Mexico's finest artist, in the cathedral's pinacoteca (picture gallery), which is open at Easter only, though if you ask a priest, he might let you in.
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Museo Regional de Historia
This history museum was designed by Refugio Reyes as a family home and features a small chapel. Its exhibits cover everything from the big bang and the start of time to the far more recent colonial conquest. It also has a beautiful chapel with exvoto paintings and works attributed to Correa. Anyone interested in Mexican history will appreciate these displays. There are also temporary exhibitions.
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Templo del Encino
This church contains a black statue of Jesus that some believe is growing. When it reaches an adjacent column, a worldwide calamity is anticipated. Fortunately, it's still some way off that height. Unbelievably, that presumably means things are only going to get worse! The huge Way of the Cross murals are also noteworthy. Opening hours can be flexible.
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Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
A small, modern museum displaying the work of painter Enrique Guzmán (1952−86) as well as temporary exhibitions.
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Expoplaza
Expoplaza is a modern shopping and restaurant-bar strip. On the mall's south side, the wide and soulless pedestrian promenade comes alive at night and during the annual Feria de San Marcos. At its west end, the mammoth Plaza de Toros Monumental is notable for its modern-colonial treatment of traditional bullring architecture.