Places like the Durango forest, as well as its rivers, lakes, and hills, have inspired many activities, but without a doubt, what gave rise to these settings has been cinema.
Durango is known as the Land of Cinema, as hundreds of films were once filmed, and these places captivated many artists, including an internationally renowned artist.
The small town in Durango whose surroundings were purchased by a famous Hollywood actor
This small town in Durango, once a favorite of Hollywood actor John Wayne, is La Joya, whose ranch is home to small houses that were built as sets for Western films.
This place is a few kilometers from the city of Durango, and you can visit it and recreate Old West landscapes, so you can dress up and take several photos in these incredible settings.
The majestic Durango Mountains begin around this small Durango town, so you can also enjoy the enormous hills surrounding this ranch.
History of this small Durango town that a famous Hollywood actor bought
The small Durango town, “La Joya,” was bought by actor John Wayne in 1969. He fell in love with the region after filming several Westerns, and he didn’t hesitate to acquire a piece of the famous Tierra del Cine (Movie Land).
According to the information obtained, John Wayne himself filmed movies like:
Chisum (1970)
Big Jake (1971)
But these weren’t the only ones filmed there. It was also the setting for films like Las Bandidas, starring Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek, as well as the more recent “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” starring and produced by Viggo Mortensen.
This Durango Town and Its Tourism and Film Use
After Wayne’s death in 1979, the ranch passed into other hands and was abandoned for decades until Armando Lozoya Arciniega recovered it. It is now a natural film set and tourist attraction.
In 2018, a fire damaged much of the structure of the small town of Durango. However, despite this disaster, several buildings remain standing and can be visited today.
At John Wayne’s former ranch, activities such as picnics are available, and it is frequently rented as a film set. Activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping are also available, all with prior authorization from the owner of this incredible corner of Durango.
La Joya Ranch is located 30 kilometers from the city of Durango, accessible via the Parral Highway (Federal Highway 45), followed by approximately 7 kilometers of dirt road.
Source: posta
