San Miguel de Allende, founded in 1542 as "San Miguel el Grande" by the friar Juan de San Miguel, became an important commercial and cultural center, and in 1826 was renamed in honor of the independence hero Ignacio Allende.

Today, San Miguel de Allende is located practically in the dead center of Mexico, "the heart," in the state of Guanajuato, about 170 miles north of Mexico City. Renowned for its Colonial charm, San Miguel's 64-block historic center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Twice voted by readers of Travel + Leisure as their favorite city in the world, San Miguel de Allende is a mecca for artsy and affluent expats.