The real story of San Miguel de Allende and who put it on the map

Published June 27, 2023

There is a little-known human drama that led to San Miguel de Allende becoming one of the world’s premiere arts and culture destinations. Let us share it with you.

San Miguel de Allende is located practically in the dead center of Mexico, in the state of Guanajuato, about 170 miles north of Mexico City. Renowned for its Colonial charm, San Miguel’s 64-block historic center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Twice voted by readers of Travel + Leisure as their favorite city in the world, San Miguel de Allende is a mecca for artsy and affluent expats.

Why is this dusty, arid, high-altitude plateau far from Mexico’s alluring coasts such a draw for discerning travelers?

Two words: Instituto Allende.

Thanks to this visual arts school, San Miguel was transformed from a down-on-its-luck ghost town into a vibrant, cosmopolitan mecca for culture-lovers.

Now a world class arts destination, San Miguel emerged from humble origins as an indigenous Chichimeca village and then a Spanish mission and military outpost. In the 17th century, San Miguel became a wealthy enclave, thanks to the discovery of silver in the area and the development of textile manufacturing.

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