Fodor's Expert Review Santuario de Atotonilco

If you're driving, you might want to make a stop at Santuario de Atotonilco, which is 10 minutes off the Dolores Hidalgo Highway. Named a World Heritage Site in 2008, the sanctuary was built by Father Felipe Neri de Alfaro in the 18th century. In 1810, Independence leader Padre Hidalgo and his troops stopped here to claim the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe before their successful march on San Miguel. The church is completely covered in murals that have earned it the title "the Sistine Chapel of Mexico." It also houses a venerated statue of Our Lord at the Column, a bloodied Christ leaning over a pedestal, which has been credited with several miracles. There's often a smattering of stalls selling statues, rosaries, crowns of thorns, and other religious souvenirs, and you may see pilgrims wearing bridal veils (even the men) and flagellating themselves as they enter the grounds for a week's penitence and prayer.