Vol. I
Guadalajara Colonial Metropolis in western Mexico
St Malo A gem in Bretagne
Hong Kong City of Lights
GUADALAJARA This is perhaps one of the most underrated colonial cities in Mexico. It was during its European days as the capital of Nueva Galicia the second most important location in Mexico. After independence some 200 years ago it still holds the importance of its old days as the second largest city in Mexico. To the first time visitor the city could be just a modern vibrant place with a historical downtown. However there is more to what the eye meets as it holds architectural gems that are a result of European, Middle Eastern and American influences. Despite being a nearly 5 million inhabitant’s city it holds its own provincial identity and perhaps that is why it is regarded by many as one of the nicest places to live in Mexico. In this article we want to present the old and the new and how they mix to form a city that is attractive, lively and ever evolving.
Sta Monica Temple, Dowtown
Middle Eastern and European architecture shape the city’s foreign heritage in downtown
Liberation Square, Downtown
Liberation Square is where Independence Father, Priest Miguel Hidalgo, proclaimed the abolishment of slavery in the 19th Century. Facing Liberation Square is Degollado Theatre one of the great architectural gems of Guadalajara.
Degollado Theatre, Downtown
Aranzazú Garden Square
Aranzazú and San Francisco Garden Squares were part of a greater building that was originally built as a convent in 1580. Fires, Earthquakes and other calamities have marked the history of this sister garden squares.
Temple of San Francisco de Asís Façade Detail
Temple of San Francisco de Asís
Built in Neo-Gothic Style, the Expiatorio Temple of Guadalajara began construction in 1857. The clock was imported from Germany and has a carillon of 25 bells and 25 figurines. The rosette on the faรงade was made by the Degusseau brothers from Orleans, France.
Expiatorio Temple
Also built in Neo-Gothic Style, the Temple of Our Lady of the Rosary built in 1938 is a unique temple where its faรงade depicts 56 figurines of angels many of them dressed up in traditional Mexican outfits like the Charro and China Poblana.
Our Lady of the Rosary Temple Facade Detail
Museum of Journalism & Graphic Arts
The Museum of Journalism & Graphic Arts, commonly known as The House of Dogs faces Reforma Square Garden on Alcalde Avenue. San Jose de Gracia Temple is a construction of the mid-19th Century facing the Garden and is next to the Divine Redeemer Temple a small 18th Century Romanic Style building. The Reforma Square Garden was a battlefield which suffer lives and architectural loses from the Mexican Reformist movement.