DURANGO, MEXICO: Colonial Jewel of the North
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Durango is located to the Northwest of Mexico just at the foot of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It was founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco de Ibarra almost 500 years ago, believeing (as all Spansih conquerors) that the nearby mountain was made out of silver. It turned out to be an iron mountain that is still being exploited as of today. (Half of it has already been blown away). The city and its surroundings hold the largest collection of colonial buildings from the Spanish Era in the entire northern part of the country. The last two state governments have taken the task of restoring and in some cases completely rebuilding the historical buildings as well as modernizing the city with new infrastructure. This is my very first post. Enjoy!
1. The Catedral Basílica Menor is the centerpiece of the city's downtown. This is a picture taken a couple of years ago with my cellphone (thus the low quality). As you can see, the stone and rock with which the baroque building is constructed is visible. Take note for the next image.
2. See any difference? The lower walls have al been covered in white, an erroneous decision in my opinion.
3. A close up to the west tower under a quite amazing sky.
4. A "look-up" view of the former main facade.
5. Arquitecture of the western facade.
6. The eastern facade at dusk.
7. The Eastern entrance.
Much more to come!
1. The Catedral Basílica Menor is the centerpiece of the city's downtown. This is a picture taken a couple of years ago with my cellphone (thus the low quality). As you can see, the stone and rock with which the baroque building is constructed is visible. Take note for the next image.
2. See any difference? The lower walls have al been covered in white, an erroneous decision in my opinion.
3. A close up to the west tower under a quite amazing sky.
4. A "look-up" view of the former main facade.
5. Arquitecture of the western facade.
6. The eastern facade at dusk.
7. The Eastern entrance.
Much more to come!
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More pictures!
8. This statue was made in honor of John Paul II during his visit in the 90s. On the back, two newly restored buildings.
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9. The interior of the Cathedral.
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10. The main nave.
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Enough of the Cathedral for now. Let's check out the nearby streets. The Calle Constitución runs North-South and lies in the western facade of the Cathedral. It has been the main target of the government's restoration efforts. No cars are allowed on this street. It is now a street full of cafes, bars, clubs and other business.
11. This street section is right in front of the Cathderal's Western Facade.
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12. This two magnificent buildings right on the SW corner of the cathedral were rebuilded brick by brick to their original 1800´s facade. As you can see, the stone work is completely new.
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8. This statue was made in honor of John Paul II during his visit in the 90s. On the back, two newly restored buildings.
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9. The interior of the Cathedral.
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10. The main nave.
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Enough of the Cathedral for now. Let's check out the nearby streets. The Calle Constitución runs North-South and lies in the western facade of the Cathedral. It has been the main target of the government's restoration efforts. No cars are allowed on this street. It is now a street full of cafes, bars, clubs and other business.
11. This street section is right in front of the Cathderal's Western Facade.
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12. This two magnificent buildings right on the SW corner of the cathedral were rebuilded brick by brick to their original 1800´s facade. As you can see, the stone work is completely new.
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13. The Banco Comercial Building with its astonishing stone work. The picture is taken from the main street, 20 de Noviembre. More on that later.
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14. Another one.
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15. 20 de Noviembre itself, looking East.
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14. Another one.
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15. 20 de Noviembre itself, looking East.
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16. The same corner on a prettier day.
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17. Walking North on Constitución.
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18. Keep going. The church on the back is Santa Anna and the mountain on the very back is the iron one I was talking about at the beggining. See the effects of mining?
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17. Walking North on Constitución.
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18. Keep going. The church on the back is Santa Anna and the mountain on the very back is the iron one I was talking about at the beggining. See the effects of mining?
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19. All of this buildings were either ruined or left in decay. Some replaced "modern" but ugly concrete and crystal buildings with no architectural taste.
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20. Looking back to the cathedral.
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21. Restaurants on the street.
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22. As I said...
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20. Looking back to the cathedral.
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21. Restaurants on the street.
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22. As I said...
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Thanks for the comments everyone! Tody I went out to take more pictures of Constitución. I couldn't find the ones I took last month. These ones are better though. Stay tuned!
Let's continue:
23. Another glimpse back to the cathedral.
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24. Two blocks away from the Cathedral now.
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25. One of my favorite corners.
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26. On the far right of this picture you can see one of the ugly buildings I was talking about.
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27. Sunday nights this street is full of music, people and lights.
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28. Getting closer to Santa Anna, the church on the back.
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23. Another glimpse back to the cathedral.
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24. Two blocks away from the Cathedral now.
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25. One of my favorite corners.
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26. On the far right of this picture you can see one of the ugly buildings I was talking about.
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27. Sunday nights this street is full of music, people and lights.
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28. Getting closer to Santa Anna, the church on the back.
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29. This building was restored but it is no yet occupied.
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30. This corner building is the one that probably highlights the most from the rest. Next to it, anothe one which was not rebuilded according to the colonia style.
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31. In front of the building I just showed. By the way, palm trees do not grow naturally in Durango. But I guess the governor like them and since he is the one who's paying 50 million for the whole project...
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32. In this picture, Durango looks almost like a small provincial town.
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33. The last section of Constitución.
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30. This corner building is the one that probably highlights the most from the rest. Next to it, anothe one which was not rebuilded according to the colonia style.
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31. In front of the building I just showed. By the way, palm trees do not grow naturally in Durango. But I guess the governor like them and since he is the one who's paying 50 million for the whole project...
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32. In this picture, Durango looks almost like a small provincial town.
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33. The last section of Constitución.
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34. Lovely corner.
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35. The tower of Nuestra Señora de Santa Anna. According to a local legend, the tower used to have a bell made out of gold, but it was of course stolen by
thieves like 100 years ago.
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36. The main facade of the church.
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37. The tree-crowded plaza in front of the church gives limited space for photographers to take a whole picture of the building.
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38. An interesting building on the same square of Santa Anna.
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39. Back to the cathedral on Juarez, a parallel street.
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35. The tower of Nuestra Señora de Santa Anna. According to a local legend, the tower used to have a bell made out of gold, but it was of course stolen by
thieves like 100 years ago.
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36. The main facade of the church.
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37. The tree-crowded plaza in front of the church gives limited space for photographers to take a whole picture of the building.
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38. An interesting building on the same square of Santa Anna.
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39. Back to the cathedral on Juarez, a parallel street.
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40. This "French" looking building is home to the "Museo del Aguacate." It is the regional museum.
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41. The whole building embelishes this corner.
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42. As you can see, the style is sort of neo-classical, unlike the two churches we have already see, which are unmistakebely baroque.
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41. The whole building embelishes this corner.
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42. As you can see, the style is sort of neo-classical, unlike the two churches we have already see, which are unmistakebely baroque.
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