Mexico - Historic Town of Alamos

This mining town was established in the second half of the XVII century, and was originally called Real de la Limpia Coticepci6ii or Real de los Frailes by its Spanish founders. The town was laid out following the topography of the land. Its winding roads and alleys create interesting and attractive views from different angles that complement the town's unique architecture. There are two plazas in the city centre: the Plaza de Armas, or main plaza, which is a large open area with gardens and trees, and which is surrounded by the town's most characteristic buildings, and the Alameda. The most outstanding features of the town of Alamos are its arcades, its XVIII century vernacular Colonial architecture, and the harmonic integration of XIX century buildings. The town has preserved to a great extent a uniform appearance. Two architectural plans can be identified. The first one is characteristic of the XVII and XVIII centuries and its main feature is an arcade on the street side; the other plan does not include an arcade and is a reflection of )UX and XX century architectural concepts. The Area of Historic Monuments in the town of Alamos spreads over 0.8' ) square kilometres, and comprises 70 city blocks with 188 buildings dating from the XVII to the XIX centuries. Their architectural solutions, morphological elements and urban image are the result of different building stages, but yet, together, they constitute a harmonic whole.