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Biblioteca's House and Garden Tour
We hope that you will join us on any given Sunday for San Miguel de Allende's most popular tourist attraction, the weekly House & Garden Tour sponsored by the Biblioteca Pública.
The tours were started approximately 50 years ago by local foreign residents in order to provide visitors with the chance to see “behind the hidden walls” of San Miguel. We have over 300 houses on our roster with new homes never-before-seen on the tour being shown on a regular basis. The House & Garden Tour shows different homes every Sunday (with the exception of those which fall on a holiday).
The local weekly newspaper, Atención, gives descriptions of the properties to be shown every Friday as well as alerting visitors if a holiday is upcoming. Our website will also post descriptions of the homes shown that week or advise if a holiday, festival or fiesta prevents a tour. All the tours are conducted via local buses so normally very little walking is required, although we would like to advise visitors with walking problems to ask at the cashier’s desk on any given Sunday how much walking will be required.
On your Sunday visit you may see anything from a Colonial mansion to a tiny adobe house, a splendid new home or an artist’s domain. Reservations are not necessary – just come to the Biblioteca Pública on a Sunday between 10 am and noon, and purchase your tickets at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance at our Ticket Centro located just inside the Biblioteca's.
Breakfast is served in our beautiful patio from 9am till 11.30am prior to the tour and music is played in the main patio between 11AM and noon. We offer discounts for groups of ten or more, and tickets cost $200 pesos. Cash only, no credit cards or Traveler’s checks are accepted. Please join us! Proceeds benefit the Biblioteca Pública and its educational programs for children.
Special groups or specific information can be obtained by contacting La Biblioteca at Emma Salazar
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,
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or calling 152-0293.
Please note: There are rare times when homes that are featured on the Biblioteca website and in the Atencion newspaper are not available for viewing. These last minute changes are beyond the control of the Biblioteca and we appreciate and thank you for your understanding when these situations occur.
House and Garden Tour
February/ Febrero 5, 2012
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Casa Dorr
The owner, this happy unusual home was all tepatate and rocks when she bought it in 2004. She first added a casita where she lived for 4 years, then she added a palapa, pergola, driveway, and a fountain. In the garden the colourful tile work, objects, murals, plants and more create a wonderful feeling of adventure. The owner insists the garden is not ready and that she is still working on it. Jean started building the house in back of the casita in 2008 and it was finished in June 2009, all on one floor, with lots of outdoor space, which she loves. The studio is in the main sala. You can count 4 chickens, 5 street dogs, and 3 cats. Everyone needs a home. The fresh air, the spectacular views, wonderful neighbors and her garden, make Jean so blessed to be living in this home.
Casa Mariposa
The very private sunny front courtyard is quite dramatic when first seen with its three-story bell tower and large central fountain. There are two bedrooms off this first floor courtyard. Both are professionally decorated with period antiques and lovely Spanish accessories. The master room has a white four-poster comfy canopy bed with a bathtub and shower. There are three story light wells above the fireplace in this room that give a magical light throughout the day. The guest room is divinely comfortable. There is a “bohemian flare” to this second beautifully decorated bedroom. It has fun Mexican accessories and lovely period antique pieces as well. The second floor living room/kitchen is all open space with “boveda” ceilings, large fireplace, brick floors. At night there are spot lights in the niches that set off an array of fascinating santos that are so much a part of the San Miguel culture. A Jacuzzi or “spool” overlooks the incredible view from atop and is a perfect place for sunning.
Casa Estrella de la Mañana
In the historical center and hidden behind the walls of Calle Quebrada, Casa Estrella de la Mañana is historical restoration of a 17th Century ruin and is the intimate San Miguel home of Southern artist Rhea Gary and her husband Leon. Lovingly reconstructed upon the foundations of an earlier era and sharing the ancient 15th century wall of La Conception church, Casa Estrella features time-faithful cantera stonework fireplaces, arches and columns, boveda ceilings and colorful tile work. Especially interesting is the carefully picked and mixed-tile kitchen and the home’s tiled baths, all featured in the book Mexican Tile. Numerous other aspects of the Casa Estrella are found in the companion books Mexican Interiors and Mexican Exteriors including the intimate living room featuring Rhea’s art and the Gary’s collection of Mexican paintings, folk art and pottery assembled over many years. Flower filled patios, vine covered walls and warm colors effect a truly romantic return to past times.
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