The year was 1810, the independence movement was underway, the insurgent troops, commanded by the priest Miguel Hidalgo, had besieged the city of Guanajuato, and the granary of Granaditas was fiercely defended by a regiment of Spanish soldiers who remained barricaded inside without giving signs of surrender.
For the insurgents it was necessary to open that granary where the surplus of the annual harvest were kept, which would serve to resupply troops and feed the population stricken by hunger.
After several unsuccessful attacks, the only solution seemed to be burning the front door; however, it was a risky approach, because the Spaniards had a better shooting angle and were waiting to kill anyone who approached.
Among the rebel fighters a strong voice was heard: “I will burn the door.”
Among the rebel fighters a strong voice was heard: “I will burn the door.”
It was Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez, a brave indigenous miner who because of beliefs joined the independence movement.
He was nicknamed “El Pipila”, as turkeys and the eggs that these birds hatch are commonly known by in the Bajio region; one of the versions about the origin of this nickname, notes that El Pipila, having his face full of freckles or possible scars left by smallpox bore a resemblance to the mottled appearance of a turkey’s egg .
What there is no doubt about is the physical and mental strength possessed by Juan Jose de los Reyes due to strenuous work he did in the mines of Bajio.
It was Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez, a brave indigenous miner who because of beliefs joined the independence movement.
Miguel Hidalgo accepted the proposal and El Pipila was on his way.
To avoid being struck by bullets, he placed on his back a heavy slab of stone, he took a torch and went to the door of the granary.
Shotguns shots whistled and ricocheted off his back.
The Spaniard’s desperate attempts to stop him gave no results.
Finally, he set fire to the wooden gate and the granary was taken by insurgent troops.
Once the Independence of Mexico was consummated, El Pipila returned to his job as a miner up until he passed away due to recurrent poisoning suffered by workers in the mines; however, the event of September 28th 1810 , made El Pípila pass from obscurity to becoming a legendary figure for his bravery and courage.
Among the most visited tourist sites in the city of Guanajuato is the Monument to Pipila.
Today he is recognized as a national hero and a symbol of the Independence of Mexico.
Among the most visited tourist sites in the city of Guanajuato is the Monument to Pipila.
This monumental sculpture made with pink quarry was opened in 1939 and is the work of the artist Juan Fernando Olaguibel.
Looking at the monument, you can see El Pípila carrying a torch in his right hand directing the attack on the Alhóndiga, while the base that holds the sculpture reads: “… there are still other granary to be lit… “
The civic square where the monument is located, being one of the highest points in Guanajuato, offers a spectacular panoramic 360 ° view to appreciate the architectural beauty of this colonial city
The civic square where the monument is located, being one of the highest points in Guanajuato, offers a spectacular panoramic 360 ° view to appreciate the architectural beauty of this colonial city; if that were not enough, on the back part of the monument is a small museum and stairs that allow you to reach the highest point of the sculpture, which enhances the visual experience you have from the place.
To reach the monument a bus that leaves from the Hidalgo market can be taken, it can also be reached by walking up through the alleys leading uphill to the square or taking the funicular that starts from the Teatro Juarez.
Image Gallery
How this Virtual Tour was made
When we go out to photograph it is important to know what type of light we need to get the picture we have in mind, so choosing the right time of day is important.
One of the moments where light gives great prominence to the photographs is the “golden hour”, who’s warm and soft light creates an atmosphere that we would always like to have. However, what happens next? The answer is the blue hour.
The blue hour, as the name suggests, is that moment right after (in the case of the sunset) of the golden hour when the sky has lost practically those orange and yellow tones and begins to dominate an intense blue.
A feature of the blue hour, is that the horizon where it has set (or left) the sun has a tonal gradient from blue to orange.
The blue sky gradually darkens so it is mandatory to have a tripod to take pictures.
In our eyes it even appears to be night, however, with an exposure of several seconds we prove that there is still enough light in the sky as to continue taking pictures.
This moment is very useful for taking pictures, like to the Monument to Pipila, which highlights the lighting of the beautiful city of Guanajuato at sunset.
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English language translation made by Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa through the collaboration of Centro de Estudio de Idiomas Culiacán
