| Ojuelos de Jalisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality and city — | |||
|
|||
| Location of the municipality in Jalisco | |||
|
Ojuelos de Jalisco
|
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Mexico | ||
| State | Jalisco | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,156.71 km2 (446.6 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| • Total | 28,081 | ||
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC-6) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | Central Daylight Time (UTC-5) | ||
Ojuelos de Jalisco is a colonial town and municipality in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The town's 1990 population was 7,265 [1], although by the year 2000 it had increased to 9,338 [2]. It sits at the junction of Mexico Highways 51, 70, and 80. The town was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro Casillas de Avila in 1569, as a fortification to protect travelers against the Chichimecas warriors.
The fortification of Ojuelos was one of the seven ones built at the request of the Vice King Martín Enriquez de Almanza in the important route Mexico-Zacatecas. The decision to build the seven fortifications was made by Enriquez de Almanza in response to deadly attacks made by Chichimecas commanded by their legendary leader Maxorro.
Ojuelos has a significant historical value, since its fortification is the only one which has survived to present day. Currently, it houses the offices of the City Hall and a Library, but still it keeps its original design.
Among other touristic attractions, Ojuelos also has a plaza, El Parian, which is surrounded by 102 gotic archs. El Parian was designed at the end of the XIX Century by Luis G. Maciel.
In 1874, Ojuelos was designated as Municipality by Ignacio L. Vallarta, Governor of the State of Jalisco.