Puebla, MX, Bell Towers of the Catedral de los Angeles, undergoing restorations
Hybrid Culturalism in Mexico
It is well known that Mexico is rich in
cultural history and relevance. From the Native cultures to the Spanish
Influence, there are many facets of Mexican life that have gained perspective
through the turbulent, and yet fascinating history of its people. The photos
that I have chosen are representative not only of the history of Mexico and its
people, but also of the duality of the culture as it exists in the present day.
The
architecture of buildings seen throughout the trip harkens back to the vast
array of influences throughout the construction of Mexico’s larger cities. The
tourism board of Mexico describes the architecture as follows: “Having one of the highest numbers of UNESCO World
Heritage Sites in the world is a privilege not many countries can boast.
Beginning more than 2,000 years ago, Mexico's architectural heritage is a
melting pot, mixing Pre-Hispanic influences, colonial style –with its own blend
of Moorish, Jewish and Castilian traits–, 19th century architectural trends
such as Neoclassicism, Art-Deco and Art Nouveau, and Avant-garde designs from
the brilliant Teodoro Gonzalez de Leon, Pedro Ramirez Vazquez and Luis
Barragan”. (www.visitmexico.com/en/architecture) These designs and concepts were easily visible in the
cities we all had the opportunity to walk through. With the intricate designs
and ornate decorations seen within the tile work of Mexico City homes, and the
Baroque style art and construction of Puebla, it is easy to be lost in the
wonderment of design and structure.
Specifically within Puebla, I found that there was an
almost seamless blending of cultures from the distant past and the current
times. The Tourism Board of Mexico states that “Puebla City Centre is a UNESCO
World Heritage site and it is one of Mexico’s best-preserved Spanish Colonial
treasures. It contains some 2,600 designated historic buildings”.
(ww.visitmexico.com) Of the architectural wonders nestled into the surrounding
towns and cities, we had the pleasure of visiting some on the list of “must see
sites” for Mexico, right there in Puebla. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our
Lady of the Immaculate Conception: built from 1575 – 1640, its towers (at 73.9
m; 244 f) are considered the highest in the country and even Latin America. It
is noted for its marble floors, rich gold leaf interior, and awesome main altar
– designed by Manuel Tolsa and depicting the kings and queens of 17th
century Europe (www.visitmexico.com). I very much enjoyed the beautiful details within the
church, and also the stories surrounding the placement of the bells in the
towers themselves. Seeing the towers lit up against a star-lit night sky is an
experience I will not soon forget. I also enjoyed our brief visit to the fort
where the historic Battle of Cinco de Mayo took place. According to historical
record, this site was significant because the French army was defeated by a
much smaller, less endowed Mexican army at the outskirts of the city on May 5,
1862, thus providing Mexico and the U.S. with our present day celebration of
“Cinco de Mayo”.
In Mexico
City, I was inspired by the combination of traditional architecture alongside
modern conveniences/amenities, such as “Coca Cola” and “Forever 21” shopping
centers. Among the interesting styles of buildings, mostly pre-hispanic/baroque
style, is the National Palace itself; boasting a baroque façade, and scrolling
images created by famed Mexican Painter, Diego Rivera. The fact that this site
has been the location for governmental dealings since at least the age of the
Aztecs, shines a light on the idea of “hybrid culturalism” in that the palace
itself is literally built atop of ancient Aztec ruins, and remains to be a site
that beckons to those seeking entertainment and community events, as well as
daily business happenings of the Mexican government itself. The Zocalo was an inspiring
location for me, as it centered entirely around history and culture from what
seems to be two entirely different worlds The Palacio Nacional overlooks
the Zócalo, more properly called Plaza de la Constitución, which has marked the
city center since it was founded, as Tenochtitlán, in 1325. Though the Spanish
razed the neighborhood's original Aztec buildings, they used the same stones to
rebuild the capital city in Europe's image. According to legend,
conquistador Hernán Cortés constructed this building with the Emperor
Moctezuma's former palace.
Half a
millennium, and several governments, later, this is still the center of all the
action (www.viator.com).
It makes me happy to think that there can be a dual existence
between what has made a people, and what continues to shape those people. The
idea of respecting where you came from is given a definition and a beautiful
face within the old buildings of Mexican cities. Hopefully this information has
enlightened some of you who may or may not have gotten to experience them in
the flesh, as I and my classmates have!
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