Tag: Architecture

The Museo Amparo-Puebla, Mexico…A Place You Really Need To Visit

Posted in Archaeological Treasures, Architecture, Art, Cities, Historical, Incredible Vistas, Mexico, Museums, Puebla, Travel, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I have been to many museums in my life but discovering the Museo Amparo today was a highlight in my search for finding these amazing and educational venues. With perfectly spectacular architecture (both the inside and outside of the building) incredible city vistas, and with numerous varied displays; this is one museum you truly will not want to miss.

Located in the historic center of the city of Puebla, the museum was established in 1991 by Manuel Espinoza Yglesias in honor of his late wife, Amparo Rugarcia de Espinosa. A picture of her painted by Diego Rivera hangs in the museum in her memory. While facade looks like a typical colonial neighborhood once you step inside and you will find you are partially enclosed within a three story cube of glass. But it is not until you arrive at the roof that you actually understand the spectacular design that you have been encased within and which acts as a showcase to the city of Puebla. Here, take a look…..yes….I just couldn’t leave the UNESCO HERITAGE view until the end. This perspective of Puebla must be one of the best of all the cities in the world.

Back inside…. I think I will let the words at the entrance of the museum convey what it is that they have set out to create and the impression the museum hopes to instill within the minds of its visitors.

This year marks the Amparo’s 35th Anniversary and it’s temporary exhibit commemorates the photographic history of the City of Pueblo and the artists who captured the essence of the city throughout the mid-last 1800’s until recent times. I loved seeing the city through the eyes of it’s mostly professional photographers including Mariano Tagle Calderon, Carlos Rivero and Juan Christomo Mendez.

Because of this picture we learned that if a woman was widowed she grew her hair long in honor of her deceased husband

The museum also has among its many collections paintings from well-known artists such as Rufino Tamayo, pre-Hispanic artifacts, folk art, religious art, contemporary pieces as well as a true-to-life 19th century kitchen.

The outdoor courtyards and displays are also worthy of attention as the plantings are inspirational and the paintings are thought provoking. And don’t forget to visit the rooftop cafe so you can sip a cup of coffee and enjoy the most incredible views of this magnificent city.

The Museo Amparo is open Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesdays) from 10 am until 6 pm. Adults cost approximately $5 while seniors over 65 and students are free. Address: 2 Sur 708, Centro, Puebla, Mexico. Website: https://museoamparo.com/

My Neighborhood

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One of the things that surprised me when I moved here was the very modern architecture where I am living and the high standard of living. I had only visited Tijuana before where I visited neighborhoods with Barbarita which were composed of houses created by old garage doors so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I can guarantee you that this wasn’t it. Of course, Juriquilla is a suburb of Queretaro and most of it is shiny and new. Parks and plazas are everywhere. This doesn’t mean that there are not places in the city where housing is not in dire straits but since I believe many people think that Mexico only consists of sub-standard housing I wanted you to see the other side. So here are some pictures of the area and a few houses in different parts of the state too. I will miss this place. I will miss my neighborhood strolls. It is almost time to leave and I will leave a piece of my heart here. Enjoy!

Here are some other houses located in the State of Queretaro

And here is the local dog walker in the local park with his charges….

The Least Known Pyramid In All Of Mexico

Posted in Archaeological Treasures, Architecture, Day Trips, Gardens, Mexico, Museums, Religious Shrines, Visitor CentersTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

One of the few temples to survive within a major city is El Cerrito or the Pyramid of Pueblito. Built over 3,300 years ago it is a testament to the wisdom and knowledge of the ancient people of this area. I was lucky enough to visit it early this week.

El Cerrito has a long history as a religious site and complete with altars and various ceremonial buildings. It is believed that a female deity was worshipped here. One of the plazas on the site, known as the Sculptures Plaza, had two alters one on the west and one on the east sides. Human skulls were found here along with pottery from ancient sites located throughout Mexico. Believe it or not, this was once a very colorful place decorated with highly pigmented colors of red (roja), yellow (amarillo), and blue (azul).

El Cerrito itself was constructed as a step pyramid and was built to resemble a mountain. Unfortunately, it will never be known how tall the temple originally was because in 1887 the Fernandez family built a house at the top of a “hill” shaving at least 2 meters off of the temple. The house was named El Fortin and it remains abandoned at the top of the structure to this day. One cannot blame the Fernandez family for building on top of this important archeological site; for El Cerrito was buried under tons of dirt and covered by trees for centuries until 1941 when the main walls were discovered and work began to preserve the pyramid and try to understand it’s historical importance. And with the very old immense cactus trees that can be found all over the property it is understandable why the temple was hidden for so many years.

For me one of the most amazing things is how the temple is strategically located in order to take advantage of solar alignments and the acoustics of the valley. For instance, as the sun moves across the horizon a beam of sunlight reaching the basement creates a visible sundial on the wall while an analemma pattern is created on the floor which dictates the sun’s seasonal and everyday paths. In spring the equinox creates a time and place where the sun’s beam goes past the vertical sundial and reaches a boundary that lies between the blue and orange tiles on the wall announcing the arrival of the equinox. Further, sound travels directly from and to the temple from the small hamlet of El Pueblito and it is said that you can hear the Catholic priests recite mass.

The Mexican and local government have worked hard to preserve this ancient treasure and there are beautiful walkways and an amazing visitor center on the grounds. The entrance fee is minimal and there is inexpensive parking nearby. This is definitely a great day trip and I would recommend hiring one of the guides whose knowledge of El Cerrito is vast as well as entertaining. Here he is demonstrating to us the echoes of our clapping as they disperse into town.

Montezuma Castle-Camp Verde, Arizona

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Federal, State and City Parks, Historical, Magical Places, Travel Hints, Uncategorized, United States, Visitor CentersTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

anastazi

Let’s get one thing straight right from the get-go. Even though this is referred to as Montezuma Castle, the great Aztec chief himself never lived in this settlement nor contributed to its development; as this Pueblo was built over centuries and then abandoned at least 40 years prior to his birth.

It has been years since I have been to this sacred place that was once home to the Sinagua people but is now the home of  the National Monument that honors them. I still remember the raw feelings of the life force that still swirls throughout the canyon as well as a sense of awe that these native people, who lived so long ago, could design buildings and pottery that were so impressive and long lasting. Descendants of these ancient people live on in the Hopi and other native peoples of the Southwest.

The Castle sits about 90 ft up a sheer limestone cliff and was built over time and occupied from about 1100-1450 AD. though there is archaeological evidence that the Sinagua were in the area since 700 AD.  The main building contains about 20 rooms and is approximately five stories high. It was built within an alcove which allowed it to remain protected from the elements and was placed high enough to avoid the seasonal flooding that occurred on Beaver Creek which lay directly below this village. It is constructed from huge chunks of limestone and from clay obtained from the creek bed beneath the Pueblo. The ceilings were made of thatch that was procured from the Arizona sycamore.

One of the more interesting facts about Montezuma Castle was that it was abandoned for some time due to volcanic eruption of Sunset Crater but was later re-occupied and agricultural production was resumed after the effects of the eruption diminished.

The dwellings and the 860 acres that surround them were declared a United States National Monument in 1906 with the signing of the American Antiquities Act. Early visitors were allowed to climb ladders into the buildings but due to damage from these well meaning visitors the practiced was halted in 1951. Today you can only see Montezuma Castle from viewing platforms or along the 1/3 mile loop trail that winds below the pueblo. However,  it is easy to learn about Sinagua culture and see artifacts from the area at the Visitor Center.

This National Park is located near Camp Verde, Arizona off Interstate 17. It is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. everyday except Christmas.

There is a $10 fee to enter Montezuma Castle and the Tuzigoot National Monument which is valid for 7 days. Children under 15 are free.

HINT: Buy a National Park Pass ($80) which allows access to all National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands for a year for the pass holder + 2 adults. And if you are 62 years of age or older A Senior Pass can be purchased for $10 which allows you and three adults into all the National Parks without incurring additional entrance fees.