Undoubtedly, the Callejón del Beso is one of the most recognized and visited sites in Guanajuato, Mexico, where hundreds of tourists come daily to take the classic photograph with their beloved on Ana’s Balcony. However, the symbolic site closed its doors to the public.
After years of uninterrupted service to national and international tourists, the emblematic balcony of the Callejón del Beso, in Guanajuato, where attendees went up to take the iconic photo of the kiss in front of the Balcony of Don Carlos, closed its doors for the first time in 27 years.
The sudden closure occurred on the night of May 28 due to a conflict between Norma Luz Gámez, owner of the house with the balcony, and photographers who work in the area, which prevented access to tourists who gathered at the place to seal your love
In addition to closing access to the alley, the owner of the venue hung a red and black blanket on the symbolic balcony in protest of the conflict with the photographers and the inaction of the authorities to meet their demands.
Protest to the abuses of the photographers in Callejón del Beso.
Gámez, who also owns a craft store in the area, told local media that the measure of blocking access to the alley is a response to the “harassment of tourists by photographers”, whom she also accuses of resorting to “aggressions”. verbal” and believe that they have “exclusivity” in that space despite being an established business.
The woman emphasized her “fed up with the injustice and impunity” of the authorities who have ignored the criminal complaints and administrative complaints filed against the lens workers.
On the other hand, the photographers point out to Gámez of wanting to “hog tourism”, since they assure that his family began taking photographs in February 2022, without having the permits that they have had for 30 years.
After the closure, personnel from the Municipal Presidency spoke with the parties involved, which allowed the announcement to be withdrawn and the Callejón del Beso to reopen its doors at noon on May 31.