Catacumbas de Guadalajara

Useful Information

Location:	Av. Lapizlázuli 3445, Victoria, 45089 Zapopan. (20.646043, -103.404640)
Open:	06-OCT to OCT Thu-Sun 19, 20, 21:30, 22:30. [2022]
Fee:	Adults MXP 400. [2022]
Classification:	Catacomb
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=1 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Teatro Galerías, Cinema Canta, Av. Lapizlázuli 3445, Victoria, 45089 Zapopan, Tel: +52-33-3631-4021.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

OCT-2022

catacombs open for one month.

Description

Catacumbas de Guadalajara (Catacombs of Guadalajara) are a series of passages which were actually used as catacombs. Similar to the original catacombs in Rome they have rectangular holes on both sides in the wall, where the coffins, or at least the dead bodies, were placed. So this is an actual burial place, not just a bone storage facility like the Paris Catacombs. And numerous niches still contain the bones of the deceased. This is probably the reason why these tunnels are not a tourist site.

The tunnels were built during the 18th and 19th century for different uses. One of the main reasons was of course the use as a burial place, but also the secret connection between different points of the city. Catholics were able to visit the temples and churches without being seen and even secret masses were celebrated inside. Miguel Hidalgo made use of this escape route while in Guadalajara during the Independence War. And there are legends that Benito Juárez also used the tunnels. It was also a hideout for civilians during the Cristero War.

Obviously there are numerous access points all over the historic center of Guadalajara. One of them is in the Teatro Galerías, and the tours into the catacombs are offered as an event by the theatre, or better by the Cinema Canta, a movie theatre inside the theatre. Tickets are sold at the Galerías Theater box office and on the official Boletia website together with the tickets for all other events like, plays, concerts, and comedians. It seems the event was a special feature and Halloween related. But we guess if it was well visited there might be a repetition next year.