San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco

San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco

San Sebastián is a charming little colonial city nestled 4600 feet up in the Sierra Madre Mountains to the North East of Puerto Vallarta. It is a fun day trip from the resort area.

San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco

Fast Facts

Population – 600 in the city, 5.626  in the municipality

Location – Located in the Sierra Madre Mountains in the State of Jalisco. Elevation – 1530 meters

History

Mining began after the arrival of the Spanish in 1524 and the town was established in 1605. They mined for gold, silver lead, and zinc and at its height was considered one of the principal mining centers in New Spain.

Trade routes were developed. Salt for the smelting process was transported by mule from what is now Puerto Vallarta. The smelted metal – especially the silver and gold- was transported to Guadalajara and then to Mexico City and onward Veracruz to be shipped to Spain. At its peak of prosperity in the 1700’s there were over 30,000 people inhabiting the area and there were 30 operating mines.

Today

Cobblestone streets lead visitors throughout the town and towards the heart of the town – the tiny plaza and charming bandstand in the center. Beside the plaza are numerous adobe clay buildings restored to keep their original colonial charm. The 18th century church dedicated to San Sebastián is just to the side of the plaza with it’s back facing the bandstand.

18^th century Haciendas; developed with mining money, remain in the area.

The pueblo today now boasts 600 residents. The main industry is agriculture; cattle, corn, agave and coffee

 

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