The construction of this historic building in the city of Guanajuato, began in 1797 with the purpose of serving as a granary for the population, and took twelve years to complete.
Its builders were Juan de Dios Trinidad Perez and Francisco Ortiz de Castro which used a budget of 218,306 pesos.
The building has hosted important national events, and now houses the Regional Museum of Guanajuato under the supervision of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
History
Right after the construction was finished in 1809, food began to be stored inside and it was a year later when the independence battle, for which it is best known, took place: On September 28th, 1810, the rebel army arrived to Guanajuato, rich Spaniards and some natives took refuge inside, because they were loyal to the king and also feared that their resources would be taken away.
The building has hosted important national events, and now houses the Regional Museum of Guanajuato under the supervision of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
So thanks to thick walls and sturdy doors, those inside thought they could withstand the assault.
Thanks to the mining hero known as ‘Pípila ‘ the capture was achieved, he tied a slab of stone onto his back, and approached the door to set it on fire.
It was only thanks to the mining hero known as ‘The Pípila ‘ the capture was achieved, he tied a slab of stone onto his back (so he wouldn’t get shot ), he got close enough to sprinkle oil on the door and set it on fire, achieving to let in the rebels.
It should be noted that the realists were practically massacred.
In another event, after the defeat of the troops commanded by Hidalgo and Allende, it was ordered for all the heads of these (besides Aldama and Jose Mariano Jimenez ) to be hung in cages that were located in the four corners of the ” Castle of Granaditas ” as a sign of punishment of those who were rebelled against the viceroy.
Thanks to the mining hero known as ‘Pípila ‘ the capture was achieved, he tied a slab of stone onto his back, and approached the door to set it on fire.
These heads were exposed for almost ten years.
After gaining independence the granary was still used to store grain, as well as being the venue for buying and selling grain and later served as military barracks, until the time of the second empire of Maximilian of Hapsburg in 1864, when it became a prison.
In fact, it is still possible to see places where prisoners carved signatures, drawing and other things with stones.
The prison was later abandoned in 1949, and in 1958 the federal and state government of the state of Guanajuato decided to turn it into a museum.
This museum has a total of fourteen rooms (ten permanent exhibitions) with themes of archeology, history, art and crafts of Guanajuato, among others.
This museum has a total of fourteen rooms (ten permanent exhibitions) with themes of archeology, history, art and crafts of Guanajuato, among others.
It has celebrated both its 200th anniversary of its founding as well as 50 years of its didactic use for lectures, temporary exhibitions, book presentations and photographs, as well as conferences of various intellectuals.
It is noteworthy to mention that many institutions include a visit to the granary as a part of their curriculum, so if you decide to visit, it is almost certain that you will find primary and secondary students. Their influx in high visiting season is more than eight hundred visitors a day, on average.
Architecture
With the dimensions of 75 meters long by 68 meters wide and a height of 23 meters, the granary is a sample of neoclassical style of the colony. It has no decorations on the outside except Doric style cornice of green and red.
So, remember some buildings of the Tuscany, typical of that era.
Likewise, the interior is decorated with murals of the painter José Chávez Morado, a native of the state.
These murals were restored in 2009, which is why they currently look very colorful.
If you are passing through Guanajuato, the granary is a place that you should not miss!
Image gallery
Sinaloa360 
Sinaloa360 
Sinaloa360
Hou this Virtual Tour was made
Making the virtual tour of the granary brought back memories of my childhood.
When in my History of Mexico class the teacher told us that heroism of Pípila was actually true, that his origin was not a myth or legend, he was a brave man, the essential savor of his time, the flame that perhaps without it, the door of the granary would have never been set on fire and the insurgent army of Hidalgo would not have beaten the Spaniards who were hiding in that place; perhaps many years would have passed for Mexico to be a free and sovereign country.
Visiting Guanajuato is a formidable experience to photograph countless beautiful places with a lot of history.
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English language translation made by Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa through the collaboration of Centro de Estudio de Idiomas
