Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 3

From churches to museums to art galleries, it's difficult not to encounter Our Lady of Guadalupe. Including the Mexican flag, it is the most ionic image displayed in the most Catholic country.

This particular image of the Virgin immediately grabbed my attention due to the material from which it was constructed. The artist fashioned her image out of natural materials and gave her decidedly indigenous features. Most likely, this would have been how the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 rather than more European as she is often depicted.

 

CHECK THIS OUT:

When in DF, I spend most of my time walking the streets in one neighborhood or another. I'll use the metro to get me to the section of the city that interests me, but from there, it's all on foot. Check out this article about walking around this megacity.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/feb/08/walking-mexico-city-dbc-pierre

 

Posted with Blogsy

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 2

Antigua Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Although many travel to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe for religious reasons, the student of architecture and history will equally enjoy a pilgrimage to the holiest of sites in Mexico City. The new basilica, opened in 1987 with a capacity of nearly 40,000. However, the architectural treasure of La Villa de Guadalupe is by far the the Antigua Basílica built around 1700. In the alterpiece, you can see a marble statue of Juan Diego. As you approach the complex from the metro station, it is the old basilica that one first sees. This is the same sight that prilgrims would have experienced after their long journey.

 

CHECK THIS OUT:

A little of everything is to be found in Mecico City. Check this out! A naked bicycle rally!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22831366

 

Posted with Blogsy

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

 

Outside the Mexican flag, the most pervasive image found across all of Mexico has to be that of the Virgin Mary or Our Lady of Guadalupe. On my first ever visit across town to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, I came across this image of the Virgin in a lovely baroque structure on the back side of the grounds called the Templo del Pocito. As the story goes, it was on the site where the old basilica was built that Juan Diego first saw the Virgin in 1531. After three subsequent visits by the Virgin, the church finally accepted Juan Diego's accounts. In the mid-18th century, the Virgin was officially declared the patron of Mexico. In the weeks to come, I'll add other images of the Virgin that I have found in my travels around the city.

 

Posted with Blogsy

People on the Street 3

Squatting just outside the Metropolitan Cathedral, this gentleman is clearly deep in thought or study. For many in Mexico, visiting the eglisia or cathedral, in this case, is a daily practice. The importance of faith to many cannot be understated. Prayer and devotion are central values practiced by the Catholic faithful in Mexico. As in this case, it does appear that older individuals are those who you most often see practicing their faith with daily visits to their local places of worship.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Plaza Santo Domingo

Plaza Santo Domingo

 

Just two blocks north of the cathedral and the Zocalo is one of my favorite squares in Mexico City - Plaza Santo Domingo. In addition to simply being a picturesque spot for sitting and watching people, this square is the spot to go to if you need anything printed from First Communion and wedding invitations to business cards. Further, the square is surrounded by historical buildings from the 16th century Iglesia de Santo Domingo, the Secretaría de Educación Pública (loaded with great Diego Rivera murals), and the Palacio de la Inquisición which served as the headquarters for the Holy Inquisition in Mexico in the 1700s.

Historical Drawing of the Plaza

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

The Small Churches Are The Most Beautiful!

 

One of my favorite things about traveling is simply strolling the streets and neighborhoods of a city without any particular destination in mind. While walking through San Angel, just a few steps away from Plaza San Jacinto, I came upon the Iglesia de San Jacinto. Thus small baroque church dates from the 16th century. Surrounded by peaceful gardens, it is the perfect setting for a few minutes of reflection or, as I found it, a popular location for Saturday weddings. Thus is also one of the few remaining neighborhoods in DF with cobblestone paved streets. No wonder Diego and Frida chose this area as home!

 

Posted with Blogsy