Named after Guadalupe Victoria (1786-1843), one of the key fighters for Mexican independence and the first president of Mexico

Founded in July 8, 1563, located at an alititude of 6,200 feet above sea level

The capital’s historic center is one of Mexico’s finest and attracts visitors with its parks, plazas and charming colonial buildings. You may see the former Seminario de Durango where Guadalupe Victoria studied philosophy and rhetoric. 

Take a cable car up to the top of the Cerro de los Remedios to enjoy panoramic views of the whole city.

Home to Francisco “Pancho” Villa (1878-1923), a key fighter and hero in Mexico’s history

Perhaps visit Villa’s Hacienda de Canutillo that was given to Villa in 1920 by President Adolfo de la Huerta.

Movie veterans might recognize some of Durango’s countryside that served as the set for many Hollywood films, mainly western.

Durango is an agricultural state: tobacco, sweet potato, corn, chile, beans and squash are planted, as well as many fruit trees, such as pomegranate, quince, peach, apricot, peron and apple. 

They also raise pigs and cattle and sheep, and a lot of cheese is made here. They maintain a tradition in many families of making home-made sweets, including preserves made from apple and quince, “cajetas” (a caramel made with goat’s milk), and quince and peron jellies, coradillos, fig preserves and sun-dried peaches. 

The Durango state fair, La Feria Nacional de Durango, is held every year at the end of July and beginning of August. The state has two “Pueblos Mágicos,” Mapimi and Nombre de Dios.

Last but not least, Durango is an El Dorado for lovers of nature and extreme sports: the Sierra Madre offers great hikes to observe fauna and flora and adrenaline action like canyoning, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling and kayaking.