Los Arcos de Guadalajara (The Arches of Guadalajara), Guadalajara

The Arches of Guadalajara is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks. Commissioned to celebrate Guadalajara’s 400th anniversary and constructed between 1939 and 1942 under Governor Silvano Barba González with architect Aurelio Aceves, these majestic neoclassical arches were inspired by European triumphal monuments and originally served as the ceremonial portal for visitors arriving via the highway from Morelia.

Measuring approximately eight meters wide and fourteen meters tall, the dual archways are topped by a “Hall of Flags”-a balcony-like structure once used as a lookout point. The façade is elegantly adorned with white, blue, and yellow tiles, complemented by built-in fountains and the city’s coat of arms. Inscriptions greet travelers: “Guadalajara, capital of the Kingdom of Nueva Galicia” and “Guadalajara, a hospitable city”.

Today, The Arches of Guadalajara continues to welcome residents and tourists, sometimes illuminated at night in vivid hues. Visitors can climb the stairs inside the structure to enjoy sweeping views of the bustling neighborhood and nearby Minerva Fountain. A small tourist information office in one of the pillars offers helpful guidance for exploring Guadalajara.