The city of Banamichi, Sonora, Mexico founded in 1639 by
Jesuit missionaries lies in the valley of the Rio Sonora -
the Sonora River. The river rises in Cananea and flows south
to Hermosillo. The highway that parallels the river is designated
a scenic route, the Ruta del Rio Sonora. With the foothills
of the Sierra Madre to the east and mountains to the west,
the road rises high up the valley walls affording fantastic
views and drops back to the river for a more intimate look
at the landscape.
Banamichi is filled with colonial architecture. The Nuestro
Senora de Loreto Temple faces the town plaza. Construction
of the church began in the 1600s with updates as late as the
1940s. The town park features a statue of four Opata warriors,
the areas original inhabitants, holding aloft the ancient
Piedra Historica, a petroglyph believed to be an irrigation
map.
Banamichi is a farming and ranching community, home to friendly
people, great weather, birding, archeological sites and nearby
hot springs. Fiestas, horseback riding, cart rides. four wheel
drive trips and more. A perfect getaway just 135 miles south
of Bisbee, Arizona.
