The San Rafael Cemetery, commonly recognized as the San Juan de Dios Cemetery, situated on San Antonio Abad street between Insurgentes and San Rafael, has upheld its historical significance since its closure in 1950. Once a site frequented for homage, its present tranquility owes itself to the passage of time and the departure of families who previously paid tribute here.

This cemetery, believed to be initiated by Juan Manuel de Villegas, the founder of the hospital later adapted into a cemetery, is presumed to have originated around 1770 under the guidance of parish priest Don Joaquín Hidalgo y Costilla, brother of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

Prior to its formal establishment as a pantheon, the church courtyards served as burial grounds, maintaining an enduring tradition. The burial area extended from the neighboring schools adjacent to the San Juan de Dios temple to Insurgentes street, now occupied by the municipal DIF (Integral Family Development).

Notable families, characterized by elaborate tombstones, and common individuals, often interred more modestly in mats, were both housed within this pantheon. Although President Anastacio Bustamante was briefly interred here, his remains were later relocated to the parish of San Miguel Arcángel, where they remain to this day.

Today, designated as a historical monument, the site exudes tidiness and charm. However, since its closure in 1950, its familial connections appear to have dissipated.

Once instrumental during epidemics and crises, the pantheon has been overshadowed by the urban expansion surrounding it. Despite its decline, it preserves mausoleums and tombstones bearing names and dates, a humble tribute to those at rest within.

Now situated amid an expanding cityscape, encircled by educational institutions and government offices, the San Juan de Dios Pantheon stands as a historical reminder of San Miguel de Allende. Although no longer frequented by the living to honor its inhabitants, it is rumored that spirits still roam its vicinity.