Ex-Hacienda de San Gabriel de Barrera Gardens

Built in the late 1600s by order of silver mining tycoon Captain Gabriel de la Barrera, this historic hacienda used to house Barrera and his family as well some silver mining operations. The rooms in the former living spaces have kept most of the decoration from centuries past and are open to visit as part of the hacienda museum. The highlight of a visit, however, is the site’s lovely and extensive themed gardens.

Following the property’s acquisition by the Guanajuato state government in 1977, the gardens were remodeled into themed sections that pay tribute to different horticultural cultures around the world. This includes the English Garden, the Oriental Garden with a beautiful East Asian design, the Mexican Garden, mostly filled with cacti, and a semi-enclosed Roman Garden with classical statues and amphorae.

Well-maintained by a troop of gardeners and groundskeepers, the gardens are well-known to locals, and it’s not rare to see wedding or quinceañera photoshoots taking place here. The gardens are rented out for private events as well, so sometimes there will be actual weddings and quinceañera parties taking place during your visit.