Plazuelas

Deep in the southern foothills of the Pénjamo mountain range, among ravines, hillsides and springs, lies Plazuelas, an archaeological zone that amazes with its complexity, its harmonious design with the landscape and its enigmatic past. This pre-Hispanic treasure, located in the southwest of the state of Guanajuato, invites travelers to discover one of the most sophisticated cities and better integrated into the natural environment of the entire region.

Inhabited between 450 and 900 A.D., Plazuelas flourished during a period when this part of Mesoamerica reached its highest population density. Unlike other sites, Plazuelas was conceived to coexist with the surrounding hills, built with a respectful vision of the environment, which gives it a unique and deeply symbolic character.

Its urban design extends over three slopes, separated by natural canyons, and has ceremonial platforms, ball games, terraces and pyramidal bases, all carefully arranged to blend into the landscape. The complex known as Casas Tapadas stands out, a large platform with pyramidal structures that suggests the realization of rituals, assemblies and community events of great importance.

Among the most fascinating elements is “El Cajete”, a circular building that connects Plazuelas with the architectural tradition of Teuchitlán, Jalisco, as well as the two ball game courts oriented on different axes, suggesting the social and ritual complexity of its ancient inhabitants.

One of the most disturbing findings is that of fragmented sculptural figures, such as that of a possible mutilated captive, which evoke ceremonial practices similar to those of other Mesoamerican cultures. These vestiges not only speak of daily life, but also of the power relations and cosmovisions that defined this society.

To visit Plazuelas is to connect with an ancient civilization that left its traces engraved in stone, an invitation to look beyond the obvious and to discover that Guanajuato was not only a land of nomadic Chichimecs, but also the cradle of advanced, organized cultures with monumental architecture that still awakens amazement today.

Plazuelas awaits you to tell you its history in every wall, in every carved stone, in every step between its structures. A must-see for lovers of archeology, history and meaningful travel.

Take federal highway 90, Irapuato-La Piedad section. Approximately 12 kilometers from Pénjamo, you will find the turnoff to San Juan el Alto Plazuelas.

On your trip you can also enjoy the historic center of Pénjamo, the Corralejo hacienda, the Corralejo Tequilera, the Fort of Los Remedios in the beautiful mountains of Pénjamo, as well as the Ojo de Agua Churipitzeo spa.

Plazuelas stands out for its integration into the landscape, built carefully so as not to break the order of its surroundings.