Ojuelos de Jalisco
Ojuelos de Jalisco | |
|---|---|
Municipality and city | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of the municipality in Jalisco | |
| Country |  Mexico |
| State | Jalisco |
| Government | |
| • Major / Presidente Municipal | David Gonzalez |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,156.71 km2 (446.61 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
• Total | 28,081 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time) |
Ojuelos de Jalisco is a colonial city and municipality in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The town's 1990 population was 7,265,[1] although by the year 2000 it had increased to 9,338.[2] It sits at the junction of Mexico Highways 51, 70, and 80.
History
The city was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro Carrillo Davila in 1569, as a fortification to protect travelers against the Chichimecas warriors. The fortification of Ojuelos was one of the seven ones built at the request of the Viceroy Martín Enriquez de Almanza in the important route Mexico-Zacatecas which later became the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. The fortification in Ojuelos was the first being built and it is only one still in place. The decision to build the seven fortifications was made by Viceroy Enriquez de Almanza in response to deadly attacks made by Chichimecas commanded by their legendary leader Maxorro.
Ojuelos has a significant value in Colonial history in Mexico and North America, since its fortification is the only one which has survived to present day keeping its main structure as originally built in 1569. Currently, it houses the offices of the City Hall and a Library.
In 1874, Ojuelos was designated as Municipality by Ignacio L. Vallarta, Governor of the State of Jalisco, after a long border dispute with the state of Zacatecas.
In 2010, Ojuelos was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro 2010.[3].
Tourism
Among other touristic attractions, Ojuelos also has a plaza, El Parian, which is surrounded by 102 Gothic arches. El Parian was designed at the end of the 19th century by Luis G. Maciel.
