San Luis Potosi: Touring the Viceregal Relics

Caribbean News Digital Newsroom

Photos: José Carlos de Santiago and Armando de la Garza

The city of San Luis Potosí stands out as one of Mexico's richest destinations for baroque architecture. A tour through its elegant historic center reveals old mansions carved in pink quarry stone, which were part of the old Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Inland).

This "cultural route" was used to transport silver from Zacatecas, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí, as well as mercury imported from Europe. In 2010, UNESCO granted it the status of World Heritage Site.

The most beautiful hotels in San Luis Potosi are concentrated precisely in the historic center. The most traditional of all is the Palacio de San Agustín, a true living museum that allows visitors to go back to the 17th century. Its decoration is based on certified pieces from France, Germany and Italy that are between 200 and 600 years old. 

Of the places to visit in San Luis Potosi, its museums stand out, such as the Leonora Carrington museum. The collection includes sculptures, jewelry and unpublished sketches by the English-born artist. This museum shares space with the Centro Nacional de las Artes. The Federico Silva Museum is another must-see, where you will learn about the work of the artist who designed the most impressive works of the Sculptural Space of Ciudad Universitaria.

And if it's about gastronomy, another way to get to know the city is through mezcal. San Luis Potosí was one of the first states recognized with the Denomination of Origin and routes have been traced to visit the haciendas that continue to manufacture it in an artisanal way.