Santa María del Río
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◈High mountains mark Santa María del Río’s geography. From far away, you see a farming and ranching community, but its strong ties with ancient Mesoamerican cultures are what have truly defined its handicraft activities—it has made this town the world capital of the rebozo shawl.
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One day is all it takes to understand the great affection felt by inhabitants when embraced by this garment. They have made weaving it a true art form.
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◆Admire Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción’s church altarpiece.
◆Spend time with artisans.
◆Enjoy mouth-watering pastries.
◆Tour the region’s haciendas.
Visit the handicraft workshops and learn how to make a rebozo.
❖ Casa del Rebozo
This is the only museum in the world that is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and popularizing rebozos from Santa María del Río.
The pride of Santa María del Río, of San Luis Potosí, and of Mexico has a special place in the Museo Casa del Rebozo.
The museum’s discourse plays out through digital exhibitions that explain rebozos’ origins in the state. One gallery offers a detailed display of the different kinds of woven stitches used in the garment. Spools of thread and artifacts from yesteryear that were once used to manufacture the shawls are part of the collection too. A special space sells creations by the state’s artisans.
❖ Parroquia de
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Check out this 17th-century church, the heart of traditional festivities.
This church is the best example of religious colonial architecture in Santa María del Río. It is remembered as part of the Franciscan convent whose construction started in the 17th century and wrapped up August 15, 1845. The church has a Latin cross layout and boasts an elevated dome over the transept. The main altar is made up of rectangular shrine upon which sits a second part, completing the artistic composition. Inside, protected by glass, is a sculpture of the Virgen de la Asunción.
❖Handicraft Workshops
Be pulled into their world of colors and flavors; discover istle fiber weaving, wooden figures, and local food.
Visiting this town, so steeped in traditions and culture, means taking time to learn about what its artisans do all day. In addition to the already famous silk and synthetic fiber rebozo workshops, Santa María is home to istle fiber and inlaid handicraft workshops, as well as craftspeople who embroider leather belts with cotton thread.
❖ Learn About How Rebozos are Made on the Hilos de Tradición Tour
Santa María del Río: the birthplace of the rebozo. Learn more about the creative process and why threads must be submerged 250 times to be properly dyed…
Hilos de Tradición (Threads of Tradition) is a tour that reveals the history behind the origin of Mexican rebozos and their influence in Mexico. It opens the doors of artisanal rebozo workshops to visit, spend time with the artisans, and learn step by step about the complex process of creation.
❖ See the Town from El Original Hill
Discover its myths and legends while enjoying the view of this Magical Town.
Stories and legends shroud this monumental hill that was once hunting grounds for the Guachichil people and a hideout during the Revolution. These days, since it is one of the highest rock formations in the area, it is a prized hiking spot. The way up runs through the region’s semi-desert vegetation, and once up top, there is a splendid view of Santa María del Río.
❖Tour the Area’s Hacienda Estates
Tour the shells and interiors of the haciendas; revive the legends of their history.
Santa María’s history tells that a road passed through here transporting the silver mined in the Cerro de San Pedro municipality. You can still see hacienda estates and ranches that were part of the mining activities of the time. A tour of these estates will take you to several former haciendas and shells of haciendas in the municipality: Hacienda de Lourdes, Villa Quemada, Badillo, and Labor del Río are a few of those you can visit. Along the way, you will learn about on the way people lived in years past. Stories and legends round out the experience.
❖ Feria Regional del Rebozo
In the first two weeks of August, this fair honoring what makes Santa María happy is put on. During the celebration you can see a runway show displaying unique rebozo designs, plus sports events, horse rides, folk dancing, performances by international artists, and fireworks.
Magical Towns in
San Luis Potosí
