Bernal

San Sebastián Bernal (in the Otomi language “Ma’hando”), better known as Bernal (from the 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”.

Bernal was founded in 1647 by Lieutenant Alonso Cabrera, who relocated settlers from Cadereyta to protect the area from Pame and Chichimeca attacks. It marked the southern boundary of the Gran Chichimeca, a region spanning northern Querétaro, Guanajuato, and more.

The town’s location was chosen for safety and elevation, allowing monitoring of the surroundings. The first structure was a barracks for soldiers, followed by new settlers building homes, gradually forming a more permanent community and expanding Bernal’s presence in the region.

Over time, the barracks were replaced by a prison, and later the government building, now known as the Casas Reales, was built. Bernal began consolidating as a town, with most of the colonial houses seen today, making it one of the architecturally richest towns in the state.

In 1725, Bernal was given the rank of congregation and named San Sebastián Bernal. The three-nave church dedicated to San Sebastián, patron of the town, was built. His feast day on January 20 remains one of the town’s main celebrations to this day.

During the 19th century, Bernal was the municipal seat of its own municipality. In 1921, it was incorporated into Cadereyta de Montes. On April 8, 1941, it briefly joined the Jalpan de Serra municipality, and today, Bernal is part of the municipality of Ezequiel Montes.

An excellent way to enjoy Bernal is to stroll through its charming streets, discovering the first houses built in the seventeenth century. Each corner reveals the town’s rich colonial past, offering a glimpse into the life and architecture of its earliest settlers.

The circuit of historical monuments highlights landmarks like the XVII-century Castle, featuring a large German clock installed to mark the arrival of the XIX century. Another notable site is the Capilla de las Ánimas, built in the 18th century to honor 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. 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 tall monolith, one of the tallest in the world.

The porphyrytic monolith was thought to have been formed 65 million years ago, during the Jurassic period. A recent chemical analysis by researchers 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 force of volcanic lava.

This rock holds many mysteries. 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 by 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 minutes from Santiago de Querétaro.

Buses from Mexico City run to San Juan del Rio (2:00 hours) every 1 hour daily.
From San Juan del Rio to Bernal takes around 0:55 minutes in a taxi.

Buses from Mexico City run to Tequisquiapan (3:00 hours) every 1 hour daily.
From Tequisquiapan to Berna, it is around 0:32 minutes in a taxi.