Durango and cinema, two words that have been intertwined for 70 years. In the mid-20th century, Durango became a favorite location for Hollywood, especially for filming westerns. Today, travelers can write their own story of adventure, romance or action in the many destinations that the state offers.
We are going to tell you why Durango is cinema and adventure, and everything you can do in this land full of beauty.
Durango is cinema
The history of Durango as a film location dates back to the 1950s, when the southern region of Durango received the first film productions. Films such as Duel of Races, White Feather and Comanche portrayed the desert and mountainous areas that are typical of the western genre.
In the sixties, Durango became popular as a location. Actors such as Dean Martin, Kirk Douglas and John Wayne set foot on the Durango sets for the making of films such as The Law of the Brave, Fight of Giants and The Sons of Katie Elder.
Durango cinema
Although, with the decline in popularity of westerns, film production in Durango became less and less frequent, in recent decades films and television series have been filmed there such as The Mask of Zorro (1998), with Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins; Bandidas (2006), with Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz; and the miniseries Texas Rising (2015), in which Bill Paxton and Brendan Fraiser appear.
Where to experience cinema in Durango
These are some of the places where you can experience the magic of cinema and westerns in Durango:
Old West Walk. Originally a set, it was remodeled to become a unique theme park. A shooting area, horseback riding, themed shops and a film museum are some of the attractions. In addition, every day there is a cowboy and Indian show with gunfights and other typical skills of the old west.
Durango Tourism Office
Chupaderos. A town where an old western film set still stands. When you enter, you’ll feel like you’re in a ghost town, with some crumbling facades, buildings eaten away by the passage of time and total silence. In front of the church, a gallows is installed, ready for justice. Many iconic facades that appear in the films are still there, just as they are.
La Joya Ranch.
This ranch used to be owned by John Wayne himself. The Duke not only lived here for periods of time, but also filmed films such as The Gallows (1973). Unlike Chupaderos and the set of Paseo del Viejo Oeste, most of the buildings on the ranch used to be complete constructions and not just facades. Even though a fire destroyed several of the buildings, some buildings and a train that was used as a prop remain.
Durango capital
The state capital has a beautiful historic center that will transport you back in time, with the beauty of buildings such as the Cathedral Basilica Menor de la Inmaculada Concepción, one of the most beautiful in Mexico. There is also the Palacio de Zambrano and the Government House, as a testament to the city’s amazing colonial architecture.
In addition, there are fascinating museums to explore. The Museo Túnel displays machines, tools and clothing from the city’s golden age of mining. The Museo Francisco Villa takes you on a journey through the Mexican Revolution and the life of the caudillo. The Museo de Arte Sacro is a place that will simply leave you breathless.
Durango cinema
One of the attractions of visiting Durango is that within 100 kilometers of the city you can find deserts, forests, valleys, canyons and Magical Towns. It is easy to take a round trip to places like the El Tecuán Ecological Park and explore many places in one trip.
In an interview with Mexico Desconocido, the Secretary of Tourism Elisa Haro shared with us that “Durango is a destination to visit for much more than just one day. You can combine Durango capital with the mountains and some of the municipalities near the capital, to which you can take round-trip excursions and learn more about the culture of Durango through the history that is lived in these places.”
Nombre de Dios
A Magical Town just 50 kilometers from the capital that is famous for its mezcal, its gastronomy and its natural beauty.
The Sabino forests in Los Salones Park are a landscape straight out of a fairy tale. Visit the Cuero Viejo mezcalería to try the local mezcal and learn about agave, its cultivation and transformation. You can’t leave without trying the delicious gorditas filled with chicharrón, rajas with cheese, egg, shredded beef, picadillo, cottage cheese, blood sausage and beans.
Finally, take the opportunity to buy preserves, sweets, fruit liqueurs and wine produced locally and in an artisanal way.
Mapimí
To the north of Durango is this Magical Town with a mining past. Without a doubt, the main attraction is the Ojuela Bridge and the Santa Rita Mine. The impressive suspension bridge crosses a 100-meter-deep ravine. If you like adrenaline, you can also cross it on a 33-meter-long zip line.
Esmeralda Cortez
On the other side awaits the Santa Rita Mine, which once gave life to an entire town, which today lies in ruins. The tour through the mine will take you through underground recesses while you listen to an explanation of the life and work of the miners.
Other attractions include the Bolsón de Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, the Cueva de los Riscos, the famous Zona del Silencio, and ATV rides through the Rancho El Peñolito.
It is possible to visit these communities and learn about the lifestyle of their inhabitants, who live away from the rest of society. In addition, you can buy the delicious cheeses that are produced there.
In addition, you can learn about the places and history of Charco Azul, the Santiaguillo lagoon, Tejamen, the former Guatimape hacienda, and the former La Magdalena hacienda.
San Juan del Río
Located 100 kilometers north of the capital, this town is known for being the birthplace of Pancho Villa.
The exact site where the leader was born, on the outskirts of the town, has been converted into a museum. There you can take a look at the house where he was born and there is also a statue erected in his honor.
Another attraction of the town is the Los Remedios viewpoint, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town and its surroundings.
We leave you with a comment from the Secretary of Tourism: “I would like to invite people to visit Durango, to give themselves the opportunity to get to know us, I think that what most characterizes Durango is the quality of our people and we are ready to receive tourists from all over the world.”
Source:mexicodesconocido
