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San Sebastián del Oeste
Jalisco, Mexico
Located in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range of western Mexico, San Sebastian del Oeste is rich in history, architecture, and tradition. Equally significant, the area surrounding San Sebastian presents a uniquely diverse and well preserved ecosystem, an outstanding natural habitat for continuing scientific investigation. The village is currently under consideration for designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The application for this prestigious designation notes that “the natural context...is a perfect complement to the town’s urban image. Ravines, hills, trees along with the town’s lay out and architecture are part of one harmonic whole. San Sebastian del Oeste is a clear example of the important role played by the environment in shaping the urban image of rural settlements.” (In another article in this web site is a more extensive discussion of the World Heritage criteria and the specific description of San Sebastian as presented for consideration by UNESCO.)
With the recent completion of the paved highway from Puerto Vallarta and the opening of the Progresso Bridge or San Sebastian Bridge in 2006, San Sebastian is now easily accessible from Puerto Vallarta. It is also situated close to other communities of interest.
San Sebastian to: Puerto Vallarta 64 km (40 miles)
Mascota 54 km (34 miles)
Talpa de Allende 78 km (49 miles)
Guadalajara 265 km (165 miles)
When the Spanish arrived in the San Sebastian area in 1524, led by Francisco Cortes, they encountered the indigenous people of the region, the Tecos. With the discovery of gold, silver, zinc, and lead, mining started in the area in 1592; soon the region grew to become one of the principle mining centers of Mexico.
Salt, necessary in the mineral smelting process, was transported by mule to San Sebastian from tiny coastal Las Penas (now Puerto Vallarta); from San Sebastian, the pack animals carried the silver and gold to Guadalajara and Mexico City and ultimately the precious cargo was shipped from Veracruz to Spain. By 1785, the San Sebastian area boasted thirty mines and ten gold and silver foundries.
Steadily increasing in population and sophistication during the 1800’s, San Sebastian claimed as many as 20,000 residents near mid century, and once functioned as a provincial capital. The city’s prosperity, evidenced by the establishment of a bank, telegraph communication, medical facilities, and schools, seemed secure.
But the revolution of 1910 effectively closed the mines as foreign companies which had invested in the mining industry located to other regions. The population declined steeply, and San Sebastian slipped into obscurity. Those who remained farmed, some raising agave, corn, or coffee and others engaged in limited forestry and stockbreeding. By 1921, the last working mine was finally abandoned.
For those lucky enough to discover San Sebastian del Oeste today, exploring the cobblestone streets and passageways is to connect with a distant time. Families and businesses respectfully occupy centuries old adobe and wood buildings, structurally influenced by Spanish architecture and including distinctive archways, red tile roofs, terracotta accents, and white washed walls. Bougainvilleas, calla lilies, lemon and orange trees thrive in flower-fragrant courtyards; the plaza and church invite conversation and reflection, and historic hotels still welcome travelers with unassuming grace and quiet hospitality. Stone bridges cross the village’s spring fed creeks and ancient stacked stone walls define the contours of the village landscape.
Pines and oaks, majestic hills, and the towering peak, La Bufa invite visitors to explore the surrounding countryside on foot, by horse or mule, or even by car on the winding dirt roads. Local residents claim that on a clear day, one can see the ocean from a certain vantage point on Bufa. Birdwatchers, botanists, and environmentalists, travel across continents to study the unique confluence of species in the San Sebastian area. Always temperate and especially dramatic in the rainy season when enveloping fog rolls down the mountains and obscures all the town, San Sebastian offers a welcome contrast to the heat, humidity, and commerce of Puerto Vallarta. |
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San Sebastian Del Oeste: San Sebastian Del Oeste
At the start of the 21st century, it has a population of less than 1,000. It receives some tourist visits from nearby Puerto Vallarta, as it is served by an airfield and recent road improvements have cut the transit time by car from Puerto Vallarta t... More On This Community
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San Sebastian Properties | Jalisco, Mexico | Phone: US Cell: 210-260-8825 / Mexico Cell: 011-52-1-332-150-6226 | Email | Blog 
