Bernal

San Sebastián Bernal (in Otomi language “Ma’hando”), better known as Bernal (from Basque “Vernal” (“place of stones or boulders”)

Likewise, in the Otomi language: Ma’hando, in Chichimeca: De’hendo, has the same meaning: “In the middle of two”.

The current town of Bernal, was founded in 1647 by Lieutenant Alonso Cabrera, who moved, along with the first settlers of the town, the population of Cadereyta to build a population to protect the inhabitants of the area from the constant attacks of incursions Pames and Chichimecas, during much of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Bernal was considered the southern boundary of the Gran Chichimeca, vast area formed by the north of the today states of Queretaro and Guanajuato and much of San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, where ethnic groups Chichimecas, Pames and Jonaces, fought against the colonizers.

The choice of the place of the foundation was given to consider it safe and elevated, from where you could monitor the area, the first building was the barracks in which the soldiers were housed, later began to arrive more inhabitants who were building other buildings. The barracks was replaced by a more elaborate prison, and then the government building known today as the Casas Reales was built. Soon Bernal began to consolidate as a population and most of the buildings and colonial houses visible today were built, being one of the richest towns architecturally of the state.

In the year of 1725, it was given the rank of congregation with the name of San Sebastián Bernal, and the present church of three naves dedicated to San Sebastián, patron of the town since its foundation, whose celebration every January 20, is built. one of the main celebrations of the town at the moment.

Bernal had during the nineteenth century the status of municipal seat of the municipality of the same name, however, by 1921 the municipality was abolished and was incorporated to the Cadereyta de Montes, until April 8, 1941 in which by decree No. 55 of the Congress of Querétaro was constituted the municipality of Jalpan de Serra in which it was incorporated for a short time, nowadays it is part of the municipality of Ezequiel Montes.

An excellent way to enjoy Bernal is to walk its beautiful streets, visiting the first houses built during the seventeenth century. The Tourist Office offers two tours; the first one tells the history of the town and the geology of the rock; the second, narrates the foundation of Bernal and the procession of las Animas. The circuit of historical monuments is well known, such as the Castle of the XVII Century that has a large clock of German origin, placed to receive the arrival of the XIX century. Another very important construction is the Capilla de las Ánimas, built in the 18th century in honor of the souls in purgatory.

El Castillo

This viceregal-type property, built in the seventeenth century, is one of the most important in the political history of Bernal. In its front tower there is a beautiful clock of German origin, which was placed to commemorate the beginning of the 20th century.

Currently, this building houses the offices of the Municipal Delegation. Capilla de las Ánimas This chapel, also known as the Animitas, dates from the 18th century and was built in honor of all the souls of purgatory. Its attractive design is due to the small dimensions of its atrium and altar. It has an open-air theater and a park where visitors can take, in addition to a rest, magnificent photographs. Chapel of the Holy Cross The chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross, to which the Berlan people venerate with great devotion, was built between the 18th and 19th centuries.

The tradition marks that the pilgrims must reach the atrium on their knees under the sun, as payment of a heavenly debt. Temple of San Sebastián Mártir Its construction began in 1700 and ended in 1725. It does not have a defined style; However, in the bell tower you can see the hand of the indigenous artist. In addition, several stained glass windows worthy of admiration were recently placed.

Peña de Bernal is an obligatory point of reference for climbers from all over the world. Peña de Bernal (“Bernal’s Boulder or Bernal Peak”) is a 433 m (1,421 ft) tall monolith, one of the tallest in the world. Peña de Bernal is located in San Sebastián Bernal, a small town in the Mexican state of Querétaro.

The porphyrytic monolith was thought to have been formed 65 million years ago, during the Jurassic period. A recent chemical analysis by researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico has determined that it is considerably younger, likely formed about 8.7 million years ago.

Even though time passes by, it does not seem to affect its inhabitants, who actually live longer and who spend their days under the shelter of the third largest monolith in the world, which was formed 65 million years ago by the depleted force of volcanic lava.

This rock holds many mysteries. It is evident that it appears to be a highly attractive magnet, which must be seen at least once in a lifetime.

Many people perform a pilgrimage to the small chapel located at the highest point accessible through hiking.

De igual forma, destacan los típicos dulces de leche y la fruta cristalizada. Deléitate con los platillos preparados en cazuelas de barro y fogones rústicos, las deliciosas enchiladas serranas con cecina, los nopales santos o la barbacoa de borrego tapada con pencas de maguey.

Lo típico de Bernal son sus tradicionales gorditas de maíz quebrado, la típica nieve de guamishi caseras, que desde hace años se es conocida y a quien la prepara desde hace más de 50 años el Sr. Crecente Camacho Campos.

Y los ya típicos chicharones con cueritos que llevan una rica salsa casera herencia de doña Carmela Salinas.

Spring Equinox Festivity held from March 19 to 21 at the peña, where thousands of visitors gather to take charge of the energy emanating from the colossal monolith. In addition, an artistic and cultural program tending to stage pre-Hispanic rituals is presented.

Feast of the Holy Cross This feast takes place from May 1st to 5th; the villagers climb to the top of the rock, where they place a cross, which lasts all year. Likewise, a marathon and a contest of artisan masks are held; the winners are exhibited in the Mask Museum. Bernal’s main fair is dedicated to the patron saint of this town San Sebastián Mártir where it is celebrated with some processions and musical events from January 11 to 20.

La economía de Bernal se basa en la producción artesanal y en el turismo. Una de las expresiones de las manos bernalenses son los artículos de lana elaborados rústicamente en telares de más de 100 años, como rebozos, tapetes, cojines, chamarras y cobertores.

Bernal is located 0:45 min by road from state capital Santiago de Querétaro.

It is located in Ezequiel Montes municipality, a few minutes from Colón and Cadereyta.

Buses from Mexico City run to San Juan del Rio (2:00 hours) each 1 hour daily.
From San Juan del Rio is around 0:55 min in taxi.

Buses from Mexico City run to Tequisquiapan (3:00 hours) each 1 hour daily.
From Tequisquiapan is around 0:32 min in taxi.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

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Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
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