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an Miguel is by reputation, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Mexico. It has been a haven for artists, writers, and musicians for many years.

San Miguel celebrated its 450th birthday in 1992. Its timeless beauty has attracted numerous North Americans and Europeans, who now call it their home. Today, ten percent of the population consists of American and Canadian expatriates, who have added a cosmopolitan veneer to this otherwise sleepy and timeless town.

Set on a hillside at an altitude of 6,300 feet, this mountain settlement reaped the benefits of the region's rich silver discoveries by the Spanish in the early16th century.

Today, despite the influx of foreigners, mercifully little has changed, and San Miguel remains unspoiled and almost absurdly picturesque, which is one reason it has been declared a National Historic Monument.

The town has narrow cobblestone streets and leafy squares lined with exquisite colonial structures, patrician 18th century mansions, some sheltering art galleries, boutiques, intimate hotels and fine restaurants, and a wealth of ancient churches and chapels.

The beautifully restored old homes painted in rich tones of maroon, ocher, terracotta, and dark brown, with splashes of intense blue and yellow to accent doors and windows, are also covered with purple bougainvillea and orange trumpet vine, which combine with all this to produce a town dripping with color.

Cultural activities flourish and the café scene is lively. In the town's central park, called the Jardin, one can observe the San Miguel daily scene. The manicured trees, French wrought iron benches, and gilded Cathedral give San Miguel a European flavor.

The sounds of church bells seem to chime incessantly, from dawn to dusk, each with its own melodic voice. Though San Miguel is a multi-lingual city, it is an authentic Mexican community with many traditional festivities and religious holidays. It has long been known as one of Mexico's leading art centers.