Salvatierra (Guanajuato)

Salvatierra is a town in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, head of the municipality of Salvatierra. Known for having been the first district to be granted the title of city in the state of Guanajuato, Salvatierra offers an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony when strolling through the streets of the Historic Center, full of colors and large monuments built in the period of the Viceroyalty. The architectural wealth of Salvatierra has earned it recognition as the third colonial city in the state of Guanajuato. Since 2012, Salvatierra has been recognized as a magical town.

History

On February 9, 1644, the title of city was granted with the name of San Andrés de Salvatierra, by virtue of the ordinance issued on February 9 of the same year by Viceroy García Sarmiento de Sotomayor. This foundation originated with an almost exclusive population of Spaniards, a situation that allowed the nineteenth Viceroy of New Spain to grant a Royal Decree through which the ancient population of San Andrés Chochones was elevated in rank to become the first in hold the category of city among all those that currently make up the state of Guanajuato. This license was granted in accordance with the provisions of Philip IV, King of Spain, in his royal decree given in Cuenca on June 12, 1642. Its jurisdiction was indicated in the proceedings carried out by Don Pedro de Navia, His Majesty's Prosecutor and Chief Justice. of said city on February 19, 1646 and was confirmed on November 26, 1705. The order of Saint Augustine was established in Salvatierra in the second half of the 16th century, forming a magnificent convent complex of which impressive vestiges can still be admired. in the town of San Nicolás de los Agustinos. For its part, the order of Santo Domingo founded a modest indigenous hospital of which the temple with atrium and some bays can still be admired.

Salvatierra boasts one of the only three examples of architecture for female monasticism in Guanajuato; The establishment of these complexes represented a special category for the cities that contained them. Founded in 1778, the Capuchinas convent retains its baroque character, even more evident in its extraordinary main cloister. Salvatierra is rich in civil and religious architecture; haciendas, bridges, convents and mansions surround its tradition and lordship; There are plenty of patios with archways of various styles. We cannot fail to mention the existence of numerous farms, which are amazing vestiges of the prodigal gifts of this land. Salvatierra, with nearly 360 cataloged heritage buildings and a unique historical background, has been recognized, for its historical, cultural and architectural dimensions, as the First City of the State of Guanajuato.

The Huatzindeo Valley, where the city of San Andrés de Salvatierra is located, was populated since the Upper Preclassic period as demonstrated by the ceramics found there; In the 12th century the Chichimecas founded communities that the Purépechas later conquered.

At the time of the conquest, the Spanish established encomiendas and haciendas, such as: Santo Tomás, la Concepción, San Buenaventura and San Nicolás de los Agustinos; In the middle of the 16th century, a group of indigenous people brought from Oaxaca settled in the town of Chochones; The inhabitants of the Huatzindeo Valley concentrated there around 1632, calling the site San Andrés de Chochones, the predecessor of the city of Salvatierra.

In 1526, a chief from Yuririapúndaro, in command of the Chichimecas, facilitated the evangelization of the indigenous people, through the intervention of the Franciscan friars, who in 1564 established the doctrine of San Buenaventura de Huatzindeo, with a hospital similar to those founded by Vasco de Quiroga and Fray Juan de San Miguel in Michoacán.

The year 1619 saw the beginning of the construction of the new convent and temple of the Franciscans with the name of San Andrés de Huatzindeo; which was elevated to the status of a parish in 1643. In 1659 the Franciscans decided to build a new temple that was completed around 1750 under the dedication of Saint Bonaventure.

The city of Salvatierra had three flour mills, whose 'water extraction licenses', issued by the viceroy Don Diego Fernández de Córdova date back to the 17th century: that of Gabriel López de Peralta from 1618 for the mill "La Esperanza" located on the site of the current 'La Reforma' factory, that of Pedro Arizmendi Gugorrón from 1631 for the 'El Mayorazgo' mills. and the one that was known as "Molino de la Ciudad".

The farmers of the Huatzindeo Valley, once gathered at the Chochones post, requested the license to found a city in 1636; Therefore, Viceroy Don García Sarmiento de Sotomayor, Count of Salvatierra and Marquis of Soboroso, issued the title of city of San Andrés de Chochones on February 9, 1644, calling it San Andrés de Salvatierra, being the first city in the current state. From guanajuato.

The Order of the Discalced Carmelites, who joined the evangelizing work of the Franciscan missionaries, planned and carried out several works in the city, such as the founding of a convent on May 25, 1644, erected by Fray Andrés de San Miguel, a writer and one of the most important architects of New Spain in the 17th century, also built the San José del Carmen hacienda on the road to Cortazar.

In 1650 Fray Andrés de San Miguel built the bridge known as 'Puente de Batanes' over the Lerma River, which is part of the shield of the city of Salvatierra. At this site on April 16, 1813 Agustín de Iturbide defeated the insurgent leader Ramón López. It is worth mentioning that this bridge is one of the two that in the Mexican Republic have been preserved intact since the date of its creation and are in road use. There is a legend that places it within the tradition of the devil's bridges.

On March 8, 1659, the indigenous Juan Miguel, mayor of the Huatzindeo valley, was granted a Land Grant where he founded the neighborhood of San Juan Bautista for the indigenous community, and a chapel was built in 1667, which It was integrated into the temple completed in 1740.

In 1743, the construction of the temple began, which is today the Parish of Our Lady of Lights or Virgin of the Light of Salvatierra, of miraculous fame, which was worshiped since the 16th century, and which It was mentioned in the application for the founding of San Andrés de Salvatierra. The city's coat of arms is carved on the doorway of the chapel attached to this temple.

On October 12, 1810, coming from Jaral, the insurgents, under the command of the priest Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, occupied the San Nicolás de los Agustinos hacienda, later taking the Plaza de Salvatierra.

In 1813 in front of the wall of the Batanes Mill (on the slopes of the bridge of the same name) 25 insurgents were shot, an action that earned Agustín de Iturbide his promotion to colonel of the Celaya Infantry Regiment and general commander of the province of Guanajuato.

The formal characteristics of the city's construction, the relationship of spaces and its urban structure, as preserved today, are eloquent testimony of its exceptional value for the social, political and artistic history of Mexico.

Salvatierra was declared a magical town in 2012, thus forming part of one of the 5 magical towns of the state of Guanajuato. To obtain this title it was based on its transcendental history, its wonderful architecture, its countless legends of its mansions., convents, alleys, etc., now becoming a great tourist attraction, with "La Marquesada" which is carried out on the last weekend of the month of September and is attended by a large number of people. There are also different places to visit such as the Capuchinas convent, the bridge and the former Batanes hacienda, the sabinal (park ideal to attend with friends or families), the Carmen Monastery, among many more places.

Government and politics

Salvatierra is one of the 46 Free Municipalities belonging to the State of Guanajuato, whose Political Constitution establishes that:

"ARTICLE 106. The Free Municipality, the basis of the territorial division of the State and its political and administrative organization, is a public institution, constituted by a community of persons, established in a territory delimited, with legal personality and own heritage, autonomous in its Interior Government and free in the administration of its Treasury."

"ARTICLE 107. The municipalities will be governed by a City Council. The competence of the City Councils shall be exercised exclusively and there shall be no intermediate authority between the City Councils and the Government of the State."

Nomenclature

The municipality of Salvatierra was founded in what the ancient pre-Hispanic inhabitants called Huatzindeo, which means “place of beautiful vegetation.”

Geography

Salvatierra belongs to the Guanajuato geographical area of the Southern Valleys or Abajeños Valleys, along with the municipalities of Valle de Santiago, Moroleón, Uriangato, Yuriria, Jerécuaro, Tarimoro, Tarandacuao and others; It has a temperate climate, with a rainfall of 700 mm and rain in summer. In terms of orography, the area belongs to the Mexican transverse neo-volcanic axis. In its hydrography, Salvatierra benefits from the appearance of the Lerma River, which greens the landscape most of the year.

Location

Limited to the north by the municipality of Cortazar, to the northeast by the municipality of Tarimoro, to the south by Acámbaro and the state of Michoacán; to the west with the municipalities of Yuriria and Santiago Maravatío and to the northwest with Jaral del Progreso. Its territory is made up of 64 towns. Among its hills and hills, the Culiacán hill stands out, which it shares with Jaral del Progreso and Cortazar.

Extension

The surface of the municipality comprises 507.68 km², equivalent to 1.66% of the state territory. Its territorial division is made up of 64 communities.

Climate

The climate is temperate and humid throughout the year, and is considered one of the most benevolent in the country. The maximum temperature is 33.4 °C and the annual average is 18.1 °C; the minimum of 2 °C. Rainfall is 730 millimeters annually.

Orography

The mountainous region of the municipality is located to the south, forming part of the Sierra de Los Agustinos, and to the north with the foothills of Cerro Culiacán, remaining between these two orographic formations the agricultural lands and some prominences such as Cerro Pelón and Cerro Grande., Las Cruces, Las Cañas, Tetillas, Cerro Prieto, Cupareo, El Conejo and San Gabriel. The average height of these elevations is 2,000 meters above sea level.

In the south of the municipality the soil is basaltic rock while in the north the soil is alluvial. Sand, gravel and confitillo of volcanic origin are extracted from Cerro Tetillas, and tepetate is also extracted.

Edaphology

Vertisol Pelico soil predominates on the surface of the municipal territory, dark in color, generally with a clay texture and an average depth of 60 centimeters or more, without apparent salts, agriculturally fertile.

Hydrography

The municipality is crossed from south to north by the Lerma River. Currents come down from the large hill and are lost in the lower parts, some of them forming the streams, the Colorada, the Celaya and the Las Vegas. Others have been channeled for better use and the leftovers go to the Lerma River.

In previous years, the river water was used mostly for irrigation of crops. Currently, the water is insufficient and is highly contaminated since there is no adequate control of the companies' waste and it is not sanctions apply for this fact.

Tributes of this river are the Maravatío, Urireo and Tarimoro channels with a length of 215 km.

Salvatierra is located in the Lerma Santiago River Hydrological Basin. Within the same municipality, three sub-basins are distinguished: the first is the Solís - Salamanca Dam Sub-basin, which covers most of the municipality in the northern, central and eastern areas. The second sub-basin, that of the Laguna de Yuriria, is located in the western and southwestern areas of the municipality and the The last region is located in the southern part of Salvatierra, adjacent to the state of Michoacán.

Fauna

The fauna is made up of rabbit, opossum, coyote, squirrel, coralillo, alicante, skunk , lizard, river fish; Among the birds there are vultures and hawks.

Vegetation

The vegetation in the valley is basically made up of mesquites, huisaches, nopales and organs; Oak trees abound on the Augustinian hill. The Lerma River is guarded by ahuehuetes, ash trees, junipers, willows, and reeds. In the rest of its surface, the municipality has huisache, mesquite, pirul, nopales, joconostle, garambullo and navajillo. In the municipal seat there are orchards of guava trees, apple trees, mangoes, perones, pomegranates, and peaches. Among all the fruits, the guava is the most representative of the municipality.

Classification and land use

Area of the municipality 507.68 km2

Agricultural use 197.9 km2

Use of livestock 82.53 km2

Room use 9.91 km2

Industrial use 18.94 km2

Forest use 30.02 km2

Use for tourism 1.32 km2

Use natural vegetation 123.78 km2

Use risk for river flooding 43.28 km2

The Marquisate

Gerónimo López (son) founded one of his three Mayorazgos on the large estate of land he received from his father, establishing a wheat mill in the vicinity of the Huatzindeo Valley, providing it with hydraulic energy for its operation, making it extract the river water.

Gabriel López de Peralta increased the inheritance of his father and grandfather, acquiring a large area of land that reached from the right bank of the river to bordering the Tarimoro Valley. He offered these lands to the Viceroy for the settlement of the city, on condition that he be assigned the position of Corregidor of the city in perpetuity. Having not complied with what was agreed, his descendants filed a lawsuit against the King, winning the lawsuit; Therefore, in compensation, on December 3, 1707, the Royal Decree was issued by which the Marquisate of Salvatierra was founded, with the first title corresponding to Doña Francisca Gerónima Catalina López de Peralta Sámano Turcios Luyando y Bermeo, great-granddaughter of Don Gabriel. On the property of the old Mayorazgo mill, the palatial Marquisate mansion was built, whose mines are still preserved. Currently there are severe controversies regarding recognizing the Marquisate as an object of celebration because, according to the people, the war of independence freed us precisely from the Spanish crown. Although it should also be recognized that one of the signatories of the Act of Independence of Mexico from Spain was Don Miguel Gerónimo López de Peralta, Sixth Marquis of Salvatierra, who later served as captain of the Imperial Guard of Iturbide and governor of the city. from Mexico.

Coat of Arms of San Andrés de Salvatierra

It is made up of an oval divided into 4 quarters. In two of them it shows the Cross of San Andrés, it still symbolizes the old congregation of San Andrés Chochones, the place where the New City was settled and the other that was officially founded with the name of San Andrés de Salvatierra, the first barracks. It is painted purple. Another of the barracks has a wheat field with three sheaves of ears that symbolize the three bread mills that existed in the city. Its color is silver. The fourth barracks presents the old Batanes Bridge and symbolizes the union of the Huatzindeo Valley with the New City; Its color is gold. The exterior ornamentation is relatively recent, the result of a popular contest held in 1944.

Historical and Architectural Monuments

Among the main monuments of the municipality of Salvatierra are: the Temple and Convent of Carmen, built between 1644 and 1655; the Batanes Bridge, built in 1649 and which was the scene of historical battles; the Franciscan Convent, whose construction began in 1645 and was completed in 1743; the Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Light Patroness of Salvatierra Guanajuato, work carried out between 1743 and 1808; the Capuchinas Convent; the Barrio de San Juan Temple, which dates back to 1745 and marks the site where the Autonomous Republic of Indians existed; the Ruins of the Mayorazgo and the Marquisate of Salvatierra; the Reforma Factory, founded in 1845; The San José del Carmen hacienda of the Llamosa family dating from 1680; the Mercado Hidalgo, built between 1910 and 1912 and famous, among other things, for its magnificent façade carved from very fine stonework.

Agricultural Estates

• Hacienda del Carmen XVII century
• Hacienda y Convento de San Nicolás de los Agustinos XVII, XIX and XX century
• Hacienda Molino de Ávila XVII century
• Hacienda La Little XIX and XX century
• Hacienda de Las Flores XIX and XX century
• Hacienda de Guadalupe XVII century
• Hacienda de Santo Tomás Huatzindeo XIX and XX century
• Hacienda La Luz XVIII century
• Hacienda Maravatío del Encinal XVII century
• Hacienda de Ballesteros XIX and XX century
• Hacienda de la Palma de la Luz XIX and XX century
• Hacienda de San José del Carmen XIX and XX century
• Hacienda de San Juan XVIII, XIX and XX century
• Hacienda de San Buenaventura XIX century
• Hacienda y Molino de Batanes XIX century

Relevant Historical Facts

Within the history of Salvatierra, various important events are recorded, such as the Battle of the Batanes Bridge, which occurred on April 16, 1813 between the insurgent general Ramón López and Agustín de Iturbide.

Demography

In 2005 the urban population represented 67.48%, of which the Municipal capital corresponds to the medium urban area, while El Sabino, Maravatío del Encinal, San Nicolás de los Agustinos, San Pedro de los Naranjos, and Urireo, correspond to a low urban area, the rest of the population less than 2,500 inhabitants, live in rural areas, that is, 32.52%. The total population of the municipality of Salvatierra is 92,411 inhabitants, a figure that represents 1.88% of the total population of the State.

Women constitute the majority population group and represent 53.56% of the existing population in the municipality, which is equivalent to 49,493 inhabitants.

In the early ages, a greater proportion of men than women is observed, 102 men per one hundred women in ages from 0 to 14 years. In the next group of 15 to 59 years old, this indicator decreases considerably to 78.7 men per hundred, due to the mobility of people to other municipalities, states and other countries, mainly the United States, Canada and Spain. And in the last ages of 60 years and over they make 89.5 men for every 100 women. Probably in this case there will be a return of the male population to their place of origin.

Of the total population of the municipality, 46.44% (42,918 inhabitants) are men, the remaining 53.55% (49,493 inhabitants) are women. In the municipality of Salvatierra there are more women than men, which represents a masculinity index of 86.7 per 100 women.

In 2004, 755 marriages and 40 divorces were registered, by 2005 it increased to 799 marriages, increasing by only 5.83%, while divorces increased to 79, increasing by 97.5%. This indicator confirms the cultural change that arises within the municipality.

Families that are under the responsibility of a head of household (who does not live as a couple). A phenomenon that is supported by socioeconomic and cultural causes that has been growing steadily, and that today brings together 19,687 heads of family in the municipality.

Education

• School of the Higher Middle Level of Salvatierra (University of Guanajuato)
• Colegio Guadalupe Victoria
• Textile Union Revolution
• Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Agropecuario n.o 219 Brigadier Miguel Sánchez (CBTa 219)
• Centro de Estudios Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicios José Manuel Zozaya Bermúdez n.o 89 (CETis 89)
• Unidad de Estudios Superiores de Salvatierra (UNESS) de la Universidad de Guanajuato
• Technical Secondary School No. 2 (EST 2)
• Technical Secondary School No. 17 (EST 17)
• Technical Secondary School No. 52 Ramón López Velarde (EST 52)
• Technical Secondary School No. 57 (EST 57)
• Federal Secondary School Alfonso Reyes
• Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Salvatierra (ITESS)
• Universidad a Distance del Estado de Guanajuato (UNIDEG) Campus Salvatierra
• Escuela Liceo San Luis (Normal School)
• Educational Complex Fray Andrés de San Miguel (Normal School)
• Private Secondary School Fray Andrés de San Miguel (Pertenicent to the aforementioned Complex)
• Escuela Preparatoria Particular Profr. Leopoldo Salgado Tovar (idem)
• Gastronomic Institute
• García Sarmiento de Sotomayor School (Normal School)
• Centro de Investigaciones Humanísticas (CIH) de la Universidad de Guanajuato
• Special Preparatory Institute Basque de Quiroga (IVAQ)
• Private Primary School Gabriela Mistral
• Primary School Brothers Arechederra
• Colegio Bachiller Puente de Batanes
• Telesecundaria 151

Economic Activity

The economic sector that predominates in the municipality is the tertiary sector. Currently the population is concentrated in the commercial sector to the detriment of agricultural activity, which has specialized and focused on production that leaves the municipality.

Agriculture - Salvatierra is unique in the state, since it produces a great diversity of agricultural products such as Garlic, Celery, Forage Oats, Broccoli, Peanut, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Barley, Onion, Coriander, Pea, Chile, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Bean, Chickpea, Broad Bean, Red tomato, Lettuce, Corn, Melon, Cucumber, Watermelon, Tomato, Wheat, Carrot, Gladiola, Sorghum, Alfalfa, Cane, New Cane, Chayote, Peach, Asparagus, Strawberry, Guava, Nopal, Grass, Grape.

Types of irrigation that Salvatierra has:

• Gravity (Lerma River Water from Solís Dam)
• Particular irrigation poles 170 approx.
• Official positions (18)
• Direct Bombeos del Río

Salvatierra has a total, according to CONAGUA, of 96 million cubic meters for the 2007 agricultural year.

Land and vegetation use 59243.112 Hectares

• Agriculture 42,674.37
• Pastizal 2,893.22
• Forest 722.981

Livestock - Livestock farming is not the most important activity in the municipality, however it has a notable presence. The livestock that stands out are pigs, cattle and goats, although there are also activities in sheep and poultry.

Industrial - Industry in the municipality is the third most important economic activity after agriculture. Mainly it is the textile industry.

Festivities in the city

Candelaria Fair - Last Thursday from January to February 9.

Foundation of the City - February 9.

Festivities of the Virgen del Carmen - The entire month of July.

Festivities of the Virgin of Light - Throughout the month of May, the Virgin of Light has her sanctuary in the Metropolitan Cathedral of León, Guanajuato.

Festivities of the Virgin of the Rosary - September 28 to October 7.

Festivities to Saint Francis of Assisi - September 25 to October 4.

Marquesada Festival - Last weekend of September. The event is intended to be a meeting of Salvadoran culture, tradition and identity and not an imitation party.

Main locations

Twinnings

• Huamantla, Mexico (2019)
• Irwindale, United States.