Valle de Ignacio Allende

Valle de Ignacio Allende is a settlement located in Allende Municipality in the state of Chihuahua at an elevation of roughly 1,590 meters (5,200 feet). It functions as the administrative center of the municipality and is connected by road to the nearby city of Hidalgo del Parral.

The settlement was established in 1569 by Franciscan friars under the original name Valle de San Bartolomé and was renamed in 1825 to honor Independence leader Ignacio Allende. This renaming marked a shift from colonial religious naming conventions to commemorate the nation's independence movement.

The settlement developed as a stop along an important historic trade route that connected distant regions and facilitated commerce for centuries. The layout and architecture of the town still reflect this role as a meeting point for travelers and merchants.

The settlement is accessible by road and sits in a mountainous region, so visitors should be prepared for the higher elevation. Travel is most reliable during the drier months when road conditions are more dependable.

A meteorite fell near the settlement in 1969 and became one of the most studied space rocks in modern science. Scientists from around the world were drawn to analyze its composition and extraterrestrial origins.