This segment forms part of a 490-kilometer national route that ends at the Basilica of Guadalupe, positioning Guanajuato as a key hub for religious tourism in Mexico.
During her participation, Senator Michel González Márquez emphasized that religious tourism, when planned responsibly and with a social vision, can become a genuine development tool for communities:
“Guanajuato has a historical and spiritual richness that deserves to be shared with the world. This route represents an opportunity to strengthen local development, preserve our traditions, and project the state’s identity internationally.”
In its first stage, the route includes four municipalities: Silao, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, and San Miguel de Allende. It traces the history and identity of both Mexico and Guanajuato through a journey spanning the New Spain past and its viceregal art, Independence, Cristero resistance, and the richness of Guanajuato’s present-day culture.
Within the state of Guanajuato, the route totals 102 kilometers, starting at the Sanctuary of Christ the King in Silao, continuing to the Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato in the state capital, then to the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in Dolores Hidalgo, and on to the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco in San Miguel de Allende. Overall, it adds up to 490 kilometers to the Basilica of Guadalupe, where it concludes.
Project pillars
The Route of Christ the King to Saint Mary of Guadalupe is built on three main lines:
Religious sites and historic heritage.
Pilgrimages and expressions of popular devotion.
Cultural and tourism activities specific to each municipality.
International projection
Within the framework of FITUR—an event that brings together more than 255,000 visitors from 161 countries—Guanajuato formalized its accession as a Founding Member of the World Network of Religious Tourism, receiving its official certificate and presenting a joint work plan aimed at the state’s international promotion.
This collaboration will expand Guanajuato’s visibility in specialized tourism markets and strengthen the exchange of experiences with established destinations.
As part of the international agenda, Senator Michel González held a meeting with the Director of Tourism of the Xunta de Galicia, Xosé Manuel Merelles, with the aim of learning best practices from the Camino de Santiago model and exploring, in the future, a possible twinning with the Guanajuato route.
Joint work for Guanajuato
The project is the result of several months of coordination among the State Government, the participating municipalities, local and national ecclesiastical authorities, and organizations specialized in religious tourism.
State and municipal authorities were also present at the presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to continue promoting Guanajuato as a destination that brings together tradition, history, and economic development, with a solid tourism offering and a distinct identity.
Once again, Guanajuato is showcased as the destination with the widest range of international tourism options—Guanajuato in the eyes of the world.
Also present during the presentation of the Route were: the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of the Government of the State of Guanajuato, Lupita Robles; the Mayor of Guanajuato and President of the Network of Mexican World Heritage Cities, Samantha Smith; the Mayor of Dolores Hidalgo, Cradle of Independence, Adrián Hernández; the Director of Tourism of San Miguel de Allende, Tania Castillo, representing the Mayor of San Miguel de Allende, Mauricio Trejo; and the Councilwoman of Silao de la Victoria, Anel Torres, representing the Mayor of Silao, Melanie Murillo; as well as the accompaniment of the Consul of Mexico in Madrid, Henry Valdivia; and, from the business sector, representing the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CONCANACO SERVYTUR), Héctor Tejada.
