Guarded by a colossal rock, this Magical Town of Querétaro is a true haven of tranquility, ideal to recharge with energy.
Bernal: Land of mystical adventures
This town of interesting viceregal buildings is located at the foot of one of the most striking rocks of the American continent, with vast vegetation among the rocks. Everything is linked to interesting legends and stories that people tell, in an ideal provincial environment for relaxation.
Learn more
The Peña de Bernal It is considered the third largest monolith in the world, after the Rock of Gibraltar in Spain and the Sugarloaf Mountain in Brazil. It was formed 65 million years ago in the Jurassic period when a volcanic chimney reduced its energy and the lava from the interior of the volcano together with the climatic factors formed this rock.
Typical
There are many years old textile workshops, where they make beautiful tablecloths and blankets. They also work with opal, a semi-precious stone from the region. Some of the recommended stores for shopping are Penon Products and the La Aurora Craft Center.
Peña de Bernal
The most vertical part of the rock has a drop of just over 350 meters. In its geological past, all the rock that is now visible was lava that was inside a volcano and could not get out. With the passage of time, the soft material that covered it disintegrated, until it was the monolith that we admire today and that is ideal for climbing trails, rappelling and even charging with solar energy as many do on the spring equinox. . In addition, during the ascent you will be able to contemplate great panoramas.
Tour the town
The town is lovely to explore on foot. It is picturesque with its cobbled streets, restored mansions and pleasant squares: La Atarjea, with the Chapel of Souls, Y The Esplanade, at the foot of the rock. At night you have to watch the light and music show of the dancing fountains.
Temples
The religious buildings are not to be missed. The main one is the Parish of Saint Sebastian Martyr, from the 18th century, with a neoclassical façade and a stone cross in front of it. In addition, the neighborhood chapels of Las Ánimas and Santa Cruz, both colonial; the second comes to life every May 3, during its festival.
Other constructions
There are also notable viceregal civil works. For example, on one side of the Main Square is The Castle, a former prison - now with government offices - that houses the interesting Mask Museum.
Other sites worth a visit are the Royal Houses, El Fuerte, the Portal de la Esperanza and the El Baratillo fountain, where films from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema were filmed.
In the days of stagecoaches and carts, the inns served as hotels, of which those of Saint Joseph –Linked to the
legend of Chucho el Roto–, the Quinta Celia Y The barracks, Turn arround!
Safari-style surroundings
For those lovers of the rocks and the landscape who are not satisfied with the busiest approach route, in Bernal there are guided walks to other equally interesting points around the rock on board carts and safaris. These are offered in some handicraft stores and in the local tourism module.
Cavas and vineyards
In the vicinity of this Magic Town, nature still attracts attention, mainly in its plants. Two sites worth visiting are Cava Freixenet –Which produces sparkling wines– and La Redonda Vineyards, both about 20 miles apart.
Cadereyta
This colonial Magical Town is located only 13 kilometers from Ezequiel Montes and is the gateway to the Sierra de Querétaro. In it is the Quinta Schmoll, specialized in the care of the shrubs and cacti of the semi-desert of Querétaro.
Tequisquiapan
This beautiful colonial town is famous for its peaceful atmosphere and its decorous Historic Center, crowned by the Temple of Santa María de la Asunción and its central square, dedicated to Miguel Hidalgo. It also stands out for its National Cheese and Wine Fair, visited by people from all over the region every year at the end of spring, its spas and wide range of cafes and restaurants.
According to INEGI topographic maps, the altitude of the top of the rock of Bernal is 2,440 meters above sea level. The unevenness on its southeast face - where the town is - is 390 meters and to the north it is 500 meters, on the side where the town of San Antonio is.
bernal unknown mexico magic towns magic towns queretaro
