Founded in 1542 with the name of San Miguel el Grande, under the patronage of the archangel San Miguel. It was an important transit site on the Ruta de la Plata, the old Camino Real.

In the 18th century, its most important religious and civil buildings were built, of which the Town Hall built in 1736 is the current municipal presidency; Ignacio Allende's house, is currently the Regional Museum; the Casa del Mayorazgo del Canal, Manuel Tolsá, and Inquisidor, that of the Marquis of Jaral de Berrio, and that of Los Perros.

In addition to the church and convent of Santo Domingo, the “Leal de la Concepción” convent, currently the Cultural Center; the chapel of Santa Cruz del Chorro; the temple of the Third Order; the temple and oratory of San Felipe Neri, that of Loreto; that of “Nuestra Señora de la Salud” and the temple and convent of San Francisco.

The most representative church is that of San Miguel Arcángel, in whose atrium is the monument to the friar Juan de San Miguel, founder of the city. On July 8, 2008, UNESCO declared San Miguel de Allende as a World Heritage Site. And the Atotonilco Sanctuary is just a few minutes away from the city.