Mexico - Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo's Home-Study Museum

"This property includes three buildings: two house-studies and a photographic laboratory, all three designed and built by famous Mexican artist and architect Juan O'Gorman (1905-1982) for Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Guillermo Kahlo, respectively. Construction took place between 1931 and 1932, and the artist couple lived there until 1934. The building technique was based on the use of reinforced concrete, adapting design to function, a basic principle followed by O'Gorman in his architecture. Electrical and plumbing installations were left exposed. In both houses, ceiling concrete slabs were not plastered, and only the walls, built with structural clay tiles, were stuccoed. Asbestos boards with iron frames were used as doors. On the outside, a concrete spiral staircase connects the different storeys of the painter's study. These are, just to name a few, some of the features that characterise O'Gorman's functionalist architectural theory: "minimum expense and effort, maximum utility". The painter's study was built in three storeys. Its lightweight concrete ceiling slabs were left exposed, window frames were made with structural steel and its roof is stepped. Furthermore, austerity and economy are displayed in all finishes. Much attention was paid to the natural light required by the study, and therefore floor-to-ceiling windows were used. The study has a free, mainly geometric ground plan, which groups together services and hallways. The introduction of these features to early 30's architecture is one of the most valuable contributions to modem XX century architecture. Frida's house was built with brick walls, plastered on the interior and the exterior, while structural iron was used for window frames. A bridge on the rooftop links this house to the painter's study. The photo lab was located in a separate, simple construction built adjacent to one of the two property lines."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Frida Kahlo - Diego in my Mind (1943) painting postcard. Thanks to Marco of Austria.

Mexico - Ring of cenotes of Chicxulub Crater, Yucatan

"The Chicxulub Impact Crater, is a geomorphological formation dating from the end of the Mesozoic era, specifically by the end of the Cretaceous at the limits with the Terciary, that was produced by the impact of a meteorite.

This belt is lying on the south margins of the borders of the impact crater, having its semicircular shape a radial distance of 90 km (180 km of diameter; which is the approximately distance from Celestun to Dzilam de Bravo), extending the crater itself its margins into the continental sea, at the same distance north.

As a result of the impáct, the Ring of Cenotes, took shape, making together with the results in the geomorphology of the north of Yucatan, from the impact crater, the foundation for the functioning of the geohydrologic features of the peninsula of Yucatán. It is a unique event that left its mark within the karstic wide variety of limestone karstic process and formations, the water body, the flora and the fauna, the natural elements of the formations, and a complete geohydrologic manifestation of the stages of the sink holes known as cenotes. More than 900 cenotes formations only 99 of them may be proposed for inscription."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Thanks to Martha of Mexico.

Mexico - Historical city of Izamal (Izamal, Mayan continuity in an Historical City)

"Izamal is known as the "Hill City" because it has in its urban zone, several archaeological vestiges located on the hill sides. The extension of the remains of pre Hispanic constructions as estimated could occupy an area of 10 kilometers square.

Today city of Izamal was a remarkable site of the ancient Mayan civilization. It was probably the largest large city of plains of the north of Yucatan. The investigators have found and catalogued around 80 pre Hispanic structures within the layout of the city. One of the most important pyramids is the Kinich Kak Moo, that is the third pre-Hispanic structure of greater volume in Mexico and at least two stone roads are known, called sacbeóob (ways) that communicated it with other important settlements....

After the conquest of Yucatan in the 16th century, the Spaniards demanded the foundation and construction of a city, which began upon the existing Mayan city. Due to the presence of two enormous structures, it was decided to build a small Christian temple on the greater pyramid and a great Franciscan convent upon the Acropolis. This convent received the name of San Antonio de Padua...."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List


San Antonio de Padua Church and Monastery, Izamal, Yucatan, Mexico. Thanks to Martha of Mexico. I

Mexico - Chapultepec Woods, Hill and Castle

"Spreading over almost 600 hectares, Chapultepec Woods constitutes one of the most important natural reserves in Mexico City. It has a certain variety of animal and tree species, including willow, eucalyptus, and ahuehuete, a Mexican coniferous tree. There are also various geological formations, from sand deposits to caves and holes located in the Hill itself The woods are divided in three areas. A high-speed road stands between the first section, which corresponds to the historic garden, and the other two, which are devoted to recreational activities and whose elevation increases towards the west. These sections were established in more recent times and can be considered as support areas in relation to Mexico City's metropolitan area. Throughout time, and particularly during the Y-X century, Chapultepec, Woods have been the stage for various cultural manifestations, both tangible and intangible, that have sought to satisfy the recreational and educational needs of Mexican society. The forest comprises an artificial lake used for recreational activities. It spreads beyond Reforma Avenue, where significant public buildings, dating to the latter half of the XX century, are located, and which display Mexican and Latin American culture and architecture, such as the National Museum of Anthropology and Tamayo Museum. Chapultepec Hill is a geological formation of volcanic rock and augite andesite and of steep slopes. It stands 2,400 metres above sea level, and from its top it is possible to enjoy a view of the entire Valley of Mexico to the north, south and east. This natural formation, whose name means "hill of grasshoppers" in Nahuatl language, has had an important relationship with Mexicans since the XII century, when it became their mythical and sacred place, and was crowned with an altar. Chapultepec Castle is located on the highest part of the hill. It is a Neo-classical building that has been expanded and remodelled since its construction as a summer palace for Viceroys. In 1940 it was fitted to house the National Museum of History...."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

There was once an Austrian Emperor in Mexico and he and his wife lived in this castle. Thanks to Lando of Mexico.

Mexico - Church of Santa Prisca and its Surroundings

"The Church of Santa Prisca, along with its towers built in pink stone and its dome covered with polychrome tiles can be seen fi7om any point in town. Its construction took only seven years, from 1751 to 1758, a record time for the XVHI century. Its great artistic value lies in the total unity achieved between the whole and each of its parts, ranging from furniture, -structure, sculptures, paintings and ornaments, to the smallest detail. Its single crossshaped nave is very narrow due to the confined site where it was erected. The interior is magnificent. Nine Churrigueresque baroque altarpieces embellish the nave and transept, and three others can be found in the Chapel of Jesus Nazarene. Santa Prisca's innovations represent a revisionist and retrospective concert of the characteristic features of the baroque style, but at the same time they display a renewing spirit. It is one of the most important baroque works of art in the world, in which the best painting, architecture and sculpture techniques of a period were brought together. The central part of its facade is decorated with one of the most outstanding traditions of the baroque: a large relief extolling the baptism of Christ. The construction of this church was conceived entirely by Jos6 de la Borda, a rich New Spanish miner, as a way of thanking God for the prosperity of his mines. Therefore, this church was built as an homage to his religious zeal. Several contemporary buildings were erected in the area immediately surrounding the Church. These include the Borda House, the Humboldt House (now the Museum of Sacred Colonial Art), the Casa Grande and the former Convent of San Bernardino. A series of plazas are also located near the Church, such as Borda Plaza (which is the main garden), San Juan, Bemal, Parque de las Carnicerias, and Guerrero Park. All of these, along with the particular urban lay out with its winding stone-paved streets without sidewalks, create picturesque nooks and sites that characterise this mining town."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Santa Prisca Church - La Iglesia de Santa Prisca, Taxco, Mexico. Thanks to Lando of Mexico.