Victoria de Durango: Architecture, Museums and Mining History

Victoria de Durango was founded as Villa Durango on July 8, 1563. The historic center preserves almost 1,000 buildings from past centuries. As a result, different chapters of the city’s history can be encountered not only in museums but also in its cityscape.

Another historical thread leads to the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. The city of Durango was a stop on this trade route, which had been used since pre-Hispanic times and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route also passes through the state of Durango; it received UNESCO status in 2010. Looking at the city and the state reveals two scales of the same trading history.

Museums and Collections

The Museo Francisco Villa is dedicated to the life, legacy and revolutionary milieu of Francisco Villa. It is housed in a former property of mining entrepreneur Juan José Zambrano. A Baroque façade and murals depicting the history of Mexico and Durango give the building another historical layer.

At the Museo de Arqueología Ganot-Peschard, seven permanent exhibitions trace a path from the Etapa Lítica and Loma San Gabriel through the Chalchihuita, Guadiana and Aztatlán cultures to Arte Rupestre and El Método Arqueológico. Objects on display include columns, funerary urns, skulls, vessels and arrowheads, as well as spindle whorls, chest ornaments and other adornments of the region’s pre-Hispanic peoples. The exhibition titles organize the topics; the objects also reveal different aspects of the region’s archaeological heritage.

The Museo de Historia y Arte Contemporáneo Palacio de los Gurza combines temporary exhibitions with a permanent numismatics room. The Museo de Culturas Populares focuses on something different: guided tours provide insights into the folk culture, identity and ways of life of ethnic groups in Durango. Those interested in the city’s history can explore these distinct museum profiles as separate topics.

Cultural Activities and Science

The Casa de la Cultura de Durango offers regular and summer art workshops for teenagers, children and adults. The Museo Bebeleche is designed for children, teenagers and families, with an interactive format that invites visitors to explore topics in science, technology, art and culture through play. Alongside historical collections, the program also features creative and scientific topics.

Promenade, Mining and Views

Paseo Constitución is a pedestrian promenade in the historic center. Cafés, restaurants, terraces, ice cream parlors and handicraft shops complement the temples and events there; the promenade is described as having a family-friendly atmosphere. Individual businesses may change. For visitors interested in city life and culture, Paseo Constitución offers a different experience from the themed museum collections.

At the Túnel de Minería, visitors explore the underground beneath the historic center at a depth of ten meters. The tunnel is 280 meters long and features murals, machinery, tools and minerals donated by mining companies in the region. Its dimensions and exhibits make mining a tangible part of the city experience.

The Teleférico de Durango connects Cerro del Calvario with Cerro de los Remedios and offers views of the historic center. In Parque Guadiana, Lago de la China is a family-friendly place to stroll, photograph the fountain and enjoy the green spaces. The city destinations described here range from underground mining history to walking paths in green surroundings.

Discover more destinations: Santa Clara, Pueblo Nuevo.

Go to the main travel overview: Durango.