Some old haciendas are being restored and turned into hotels.
Haciendas, an important part of Hispanic history, dominated much of the Mexican landscape for more than two centuries. However, their dramatic downfall left few of them standing.
Description
Haciendas were first established in Mexico in the 16th century by Spanish settlers. These vast plots of land can be compared to American plantations or the European feudal system.
Owners and Slaves
Haciendas were owned by a prestigious "Hacendados" who employed natives of the area to harvest or manage products such as heneken, sugar cane, agave plants, cattle, or silver. These Indians lived in a form of slavery where they received only their basic needs and a very small stipend for their labor.
Peak
During the 1700s haciendas reached their prime. By this time, many of these plantations resembled small cities, some of them complete with buildings like a church, school, hospital and post office. They also served as a place for upscale travelers to stay along their journey.
Destruction
Shortly after the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, the majority of haciendas were burned by rebel armies. Most of them never recovered.
Today
Efforts began in the 1990s to restore some of the original haciendas. While some of them are being returned to the original families, others are being turned into hotels or resorts.
Tags: Haciendas were, into hotels, some them, turned into, turned into hotels