Templo La Valenciana
Templo La Valenciana
4.5
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This lavish 18th-century church was built by a silver baron from the nearby Valenciana mine.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
520 reviews
Excellent
307
Very good
170
Average
35
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England2,946 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Excellent church, but I can’t say that we had an excellent time seeing it. For one thing, the bus stop from Guanajuato was difficult to find, and once we found it, we waited nearly 30 minutes. The trip ended up being fairly brief, perhaps 10 minutes, and once we got off the bus in Valenciana late in the afternoon, we were accosted by men advising us to come quickly before the mines closed. It was supposedly at these mines that people excavated the gold used to make the decorations and artifacts in the church. We immediately walked down a hill and got in line only to realize that we were going to have to pay for the ‘pleasure’ of descending into the mine at the risk of perhaps missing out on the church, too.
So we climbed back up the hill and entered the church that was, by all accounts, magnificent. There really is a lot of gold in it, and it is a site to behold. After about 15 minutes, we left and checked out the town which offered little beyond tacky shops, unappetizing eateries, and seedy streets.
We eventually found the bus stop on the plaza up the hill to return to Guanajuato, but this part of our travels was even worse than the outbound. The sun was baking us dry, and the bus was nowhere to be seen. In the end, we waited a good 45 minutes, always thinking that it was about to come which prevented us from pulling the trigger and hailing a cab.
We learned our lesson – no more busses, at least not for short distances that a taxi can cover in a fraction of the time. Guanajuato public transport is dirt cheap, but if you can afford a few dollars in order to save a LOT of time, it’s an investment well worth making to greatly improve the overall experience.
So we climbed back up the hill and entered the church that was, by all accounts, magnificent. There really is a lot of gold in it, and it is a site to behold. After about 15 minutes, we left and checked out the town which offered little beyond tacky shops, unappetizing eateries, and seedy streets.
We eventually found the bus stop on the plaza up the hill to return to Guanajuato, but this part of our travels was even worse than the outbound. The sun was baking us dry, and the bus was nowhere to be seen. In the end, we waited a good 45 minutes, always thinking that it was about to come which prevented us from pulling the trigger and hailing a cab.
We learned our lesson – no more busses, at least not for short distances that a taxi can cover in a fraction of the time. Guanajuato public transport is dirt cheap, but if you can afford a few dollars in order to save a LOT of time, it’s an investment well worth making to greatly improve the overall experience.
Written August 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
iCritic
San Diego, CA401 contributions
Jun 2019
A gorgeous 18th century structure built at the opening of the La Valencia mine - where the largest silver vein in Mexico is located. The amount and use of gold leaf in the church is incredible. A great stop on the way to a mine tour.
Written June 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RockyMtnArtist
Edwards, CO126 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Get there before to have a nice look around and quiet contemplation before tours start coming in around 10am. A small outside market in on then square and the mining tour entrance is just down the street.
Written March 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Russ Lacuata
Long Beach, CA8,510 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Temple La Valenciana is one of the most contrived churches in Guanajuato. Inside is of the most ornate and decorative Churrigueresque carvings found in Central Mexico. The extravagant Temple La Valenciana was funded by the deepest and most dangerous silver mine of Guanajuato and was partially constructed to appease the religious consciousness of the Spanish silver barons. It is one of the finest religious structures in GTO and is worthy of the short trip. The 18th century church is beautiful and grandeur. The exterior was constructed from pink stone that is solid and imposing, while the front facade is a mixture of the finest stone carvings. The second tower jas never been started and the decision to leave the exterior unfinished is unclear.
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marie5466
Guanajuato Municipality, Mexico1,039 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
Three floor-to-ceiling intricately carved reredos covered with gold leaf are found in this large temple. Huge paintings (about 15’ x 10’) by Luis Monroy in the 19th century adorn the side walls. Built with money from the Valenciana mine its patron saint is Saint Cajetan (main reredos). Started in 1775 and completed in 1788 it is a great example of the use of the local stone. The gold leaf is very dusty and lacks luster but the carvings are spectacular.
The church appears lopsided for a reason, it has lost one of its bell towers, the other may soon follow. When inside, I noticed that all keystones in the numerous arches had cracks – this building needs TLC before it completely falls apart. Cervantino festival uses the church for its famous October Festival – I can only imagine how great the sound would be in such a place.
One of the few local churches with trees and plants as most others don't even have yards. This one is unique in that way.
The church appears lopsided for a reason, it has lost one of its bell towers, the other may soon follow. When inside, I noticed that all keystones in the numerous arches had cracks – this building needs TLC before it completely falls apart. Cervantino festival uses the church for its famous October Festival – I can only imagine how great the sound would be in such a place.
One of the few local churches with trees and plants as most others don't even have yards. This one is unique in that way.
Written March 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RicherTrips
Monterrey, Mexico3,992 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Guanajuato has many pretty churches, but none rivals the beauty of this magnificent monument. It is, by far, the most spectacular building in all Guanajuato.
It´s made of pink stone, with one bell tower and carvings in Churriguera´s baroque style (whose pilasters, named estipites, represent a geometrical stylized human shape). After admiring the magnificent façade, you´ll find inside not one, but three gilded altarpieces in late Baroque "horror vacui".
It takes about 20 minutes to reach this temple by car, but it´s worth it. We asked our driver to wait for us.
It´s made of pink stone, with one bell tower and carvings in Churriguera´s baroque style (whose pilasters, named estipites, represent a geometrical stylized human shape). After admiring the magnificent façade, you´ll find inside not one, but three gilded altarpieces in late Baroque "horror vacui".
It takes about 20 minutes to reach this temple by car, but it´s worth it. We asked our driver to wait for us.
Written January 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Urbanpeasant
Los Angeles, CA30 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
The church is impressive and near one of the silver mines. Pay a visit and then head on down to the mine to hear the story behind this church and why it's decorated in head-to-toe in gold.
Written August 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
checkpointcheryl
Washington DC, DC216 contributions
May 2018 • Business
We attended a wedding held in this stunningly beautiful church. If you are in town, it is definitely worth a visit. The second tower was never finished, no one knows why...
Written May 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RawTalentAbroad
Boise, ID9 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
Iglesia "La Valenciana" also know as "Iglesia de San Cayetano" this iconic structure is located close to mina "La Valencia" and that's why of it's name. It's located approximately 5-7km north outside Guanajuato. Built by Antonio Obregon y Alcocer and co-owner of mina "La Valenciana" to give thanks to his patron saint, Saint Cayetano for the richest it mine provided for him and his family. Iglesia "La Valenciana" it's another highly recommended place to visit.
Written November 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patricia B
29 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
This place has an incredible European architecture. Everything is made of gold in the inside. The outside little plaza the street that take to the mines are all made of cobbled. Takes you back to some colonial European city outside of Europe. This Mexican city is just gorgeous.
Written September 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carlos G
Seattle, WA50 contributions
Guanajuato, Mexico / Festival Cervantino
I'm interested in any reports from anyone who attended the Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quijote) festival known as the Festival Cervantino in the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, at any one time. I believe the festival takes place in October. It's a big deal.
a) What were main attractions? b) What were the crowds like? c) Where did you stay and how was it? d) Did you go outside the main city and where and did what? Any information will be appreciated.
Fred H
Kerrville, TX36 contributions
Cervantino is a major event in Guanajuato each October. You can find the schedule of events by searching online for "Cervantino". There are hundreds of events over the 4 week period, and the crowds make getting around on the weekends a little tough (not enough taxis, and closed streets.) There is so much to do and see in the city I did not venture out of the city. This year I rented a house near the historic center and loved it. Prior years were in hotels, with mixed enjoyment, depending on how lose they were to the centro. The closer the better.
Templo La Valenciana, Guanajuato
Frequently Asked Questions about Templo La Valenciana
- We recommend booking Templo La Valenciana tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Templo La Valenciana tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Templo La Valenciana:
- (0.06 mi) Casa Erizo 39
- (0.29 mi) Casa Estrella de la Valenciana
- (0.29 mi) Spectacular Views & Ideal for nature lovers
- (1.79 mi) Casa Zuniga B&B
- (1.51 mi) El Meson de los Poetas
- Restaurants near Templo La Valenciana:
- (0.05 mi) Loncheria Los Erizos
- (0.55 mi) Casa Mercedes
- (1.43 mi) Comedor Tradicional Guanajuato
- (0.31 mi) Terraza Marfil
- (1.46 mi) La Table de Andree