Álamos
Álamos is a town of 11,000 people (2020) in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Sonora. Alamos is the main historical attraction of Sonora, and one of Mexico's most splendid colonial cities. As the most northern of the colonial pueblos, Alamos has a rich history of conquistadors, mining barons, imperialists and revolutionaries. Upon entering the city, you'll experience a feeling of a different age, of Spanish romanticism, of Old Mexico.
Understand
Historically an important center of silver mining, the town's economy is now dominated by the tourist sector. It has been designated a pueblo mágico due to its architecture.
Álamos today is known for its charming atmosphere and warm, friendly people, where one can leave the hurried life behind and relax into the serene lifestyle of this small colonial gem. The population hovers around 6,000 people in the city and another 4,000 inhabitants in outlying areas yet Álamos retains the grandeur of its colonial past.
Álamos is known as “La Ciudad de los Portales” (portales are tall, arched, covered verandas or walkways fronting many of the cobble-stoned streets or calles). Álamos boasts numerous buildings exhibiting classic Andalusian architecture from Mexico's Colonial period, including numerous mansions, the Plaza de Armas, the Church of La Purísima Concepción, La Capilla and the Palacio Municipal (“city hall”).
The great wealth created by the silver mines from the surrounding mining towns of La Aduana, Minas Nuevas, and others enabled the founders and residents of Álamos to build scores of colonial Spanish mansions throughout the town; most of them went into ruin in the early 20th century but in the late 1940s, a number of Americans and Canadians began buying and restoring the houses.
Climate
The climate, due to its position in the Sierras, retains cool, pleasant days in the winter, some hot days in the summer and spectacular rain storms in July & August. The area offers almost 360 days of sunshine. Álamos has three seasons: a hot, dry season from April to June, a hot, humid wet season from July to October, and a warm, generally dry “winter” from November to March.
See
This pueblo is a Mexican Historical Monument and a Sonoran State Historical Site.
- The church built from 1757 to 1804, with three naves and a façade with classic and baroque elements, was the seat of the first Sonoran bishopric
- The Plaza de Armas , built in 1904
- The narrow and cobbled streets, latticed balconies, hallways, patios and backyards of the old houses, with dreamy gardens that surround the historic center
- An impressive exhibit of Ortiz Tirado is found in the Museo Costumbrista, which is in front of and to the east of the Plaza de Armas
- The Zapopan chapel, dating from 1841
- Monument to Juárez in Paseo la Alameda de Álamos, Sonora
- The Municipal Palace , built in 1899
- The old municipal pantheon, inaugurated in 1791 and containing interesting tombs and mausoleums
- The house of Las Delicias
- The old municipal jail
Do
Álamos offers the visitor many attractions, festivals and activities.
The town is host to several arts festivals, most notably the annual Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado. is a nine-day event that takes places in Álamos annually in late January. The annual film festival is usually held in March.
The Sierra de Álamos Ecological Reserve offers serious birding opportunities. The creek of Cuchujaqui, which is in the ecological reserve is the most species-rich subtropical area in the Northern Hemisphere.[citation needed] Cuchujaqui is the subject of international scientific study and the southern migration destination of hundreds of different species of birds.