San Miguel de Allende.- A work to place an elevated tank on the hill of the three crosses (Cerro de las Tres Cruces), provoked the anger of the faithful because they destroyed the pavement, which was part of the ceremonial site and perhaps even part of an archaeological zone.
Representatives of the Municipal Drinking Water System met with the protesters and agreed to stop the work until dialogue tables are held.
Representatives of SAPASMA came to the top of Cerro de las Tres Cruces to meet with almost a hundred people and talk about the project.
Efrén Sanabria, who represents the group of protesters, said that last Friday, October 9th, they were informed that machines were working in the area of Cerro de las Tres Cruces and that when they arrived, they noticed the destruction that was done.
“We spoke with the representatives of the company hired by SAPASMA and they told us that they are going to build two tanks, but we disagree with the destruction of a ceremonial center. The stone stairway was more than 250 years old and the work was suspended until we spoke with the people of SAPASMA and we hope to have good agreements ”, said Efrén Sanabria.
He even recalled that it is a place where the first cultures arrived because it was a strategic point to communicate via smoke with other places. He also clarified that the work would not force to remove the crosses, but that it would cover the hill and the site will be fenced.
He said that priest Antoni González, the responsible priest, is aware of this situation and assured that he does not agree either. He recalled that several generations have come to the hill to venerate the holy tree and that it is a prayer center for many communities and colonias of San Miguel de Allende.
Francisco Jiménez , director of SAPASMA explained that the work is of common interest and assured that it does not affect the place of worship, nor the interest of the believers to preserve the place.
He said that they are carrying out a project with a 30-year vision, called aquaférico, which involves the construction of a battery of wells to bring water and distribute it to the municipal offices.
“This project has the objective of guaranteeing water for the people of San Miguel and it consists of the construction of a tank that will not affect this place of worship. The tank will remain on the slope of this hill with the hidden pipeline to feed the eastern part of the municipality ”.
The officials listened to the positions of the nonconformists and the common is that the people do not want the work. The agreement after the meeting was to stop all actions to build the tank until roundtables are held between the parties involved.
The dates and times of these meetings will be announced in the coming days.
San Miguel Times Newsroom