Some of the best locations in San Miguel to appreciate forged iron is the Oratorio on Mesones. The Iron windows date back 260 years. On the corner of the Jardin where the new Starbucks is all the iron is forged. Also there are nice examples on the Haciendas around the post office on Correo and Corregidora.
The amazing forged hardware of San Miguel dates back 300 years! Walking around the streets of San Miguel after 7 years still astonishes me. Once you start focusing in on a particular detail in Cantera, Wooden doors,Iron work or Hardware you see the craftsman behind each piece. In this post I'm focusing on Forged Iron mostly found in window railings and gates. Forging is the shaping of metal using localized compressive forces. In San Miguel 200-300 years ago this compressive force was done by hand and heat without welding. 
Once a person stops and looks they can see the iron has been split open to accomodate the post sliding through. It leaves a large impression in the iron. This work is stronger than casting or welding as it literally moves the form of the iron. This also adds a richness that can almost be tasted. This is the kind of craftmanship that makes a town architecturally interesting.
My wish is that people stop and notice what's around them. The stories are in the details. I want us to Open our eyes to all the beauty around us.
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