álamos is known as “la ciudad de los portales” ("portales" are tall, arched, covered verandas or walkways fronting many of the cobble-stoned streets or "calles"). álamos boasts numerous buildings exhibiting classic andalusian architecture from mexico's colonial period, including numerous mansions, the plaza de armas, the church of la purísima concepción, la capilla and the palacio municipal (“city hall”).