Happy TravellerWelcome to Magdalena de Kino, a historic city located in the northern section of Sonora, Mexico. Founded in the 18th century by Lieutenant Juan Bautista Escalante, the city covers approximately 560 square miles and has a population of 23,101. Magdalena de Kino is named after the pioneer Roman Catholic missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, who worked in the area, as well as in the present-day US state of Arizona.
Magdalena de Kino is a key agricultural center, with crops including fruit, wheat, maize, common bean, and sorghum. Cattle ranching is also an important source of income within the municipality. Industry employs approximately 2,000 individuals, primarily at the various maquiladoras. In addition, the city’s businesses produce beverages, construction, and furniture.
Magdalena de Kino has several sites of interest to tourists, including the Temple of Santa María Magdalena, which houses an image of San Francisco Xavier, an important historical figure for both Sonora and the neighboring U.S. state of Arizona. The Grave of Father Kino, who died in the year 1711 and is interred in a crypt near the mission he founded, is also a popular attraction. The Father Kino Museum, with architectural designs by Marco Antonio Ortez, exhibits objects of the indigenous cultures of the region, including photographs, weaponry, and clothing. The Mausoleum of Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta and wife Diana Laura Riojas de Colosio, located in the municipal pantheon, is another notable site.
Magdalena de Kino is also the birthplace of several notable individuals, including presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio, soccer player Alejandro Gallardo, and brothers Luis and Ramón Urías, professional baseball players who have played in the MLB. The city has also been referenced in popular culture, with The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers writing a song about it and the Fast and The Furious franchise filming scenes there.
Come visit Magdalena de Kino and experience the rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine of this hidden gem in Sonora, Mexico.
