HISTORICAL
ARCHITECTURE
In Guadalajara?s downtown Historic Center you can admire the magnificent religious and civic
buildings, allowing you to discover
the architectural richness of one
of Mexico?s most beautiful cities. Among the
most important buildings are:
Teatro Degollado ? Located
on Degollado Street between Morelos and Av. Hidalgo. This is a neoclassical-style building built between 1855 and 1866. The portico
has 16 Corinthian-order columns supporting a tympanum depicting Apollo and the
Nine Muses. The theater is 20 meters
(66 feet)
long and 18 meters (59 feet)
wide and it can hold 1,453 spectators. The theater?s dome has a Canto IV fresco of
Dante Alighieri?s The Divine Comedy.
Instituto Cultural
Cabañas ? Located on the
western end of Plaza Tapatia at No. 8 Paseo del Hospicio, between
Avenida Hidalgo and Plaza Lopez
Portillo y Weber. This project was conceived
by Manuel Tolsa, built by Jose Gutierrez and finished by architect Manuel Ibarra. The neoclassical-style construction was completed in 1843. The building has a rectangular form and the main
entrance has an elegant portico with Tuscan-order
columns; its chapel is of
the neoclassical-eclectic style. In addition, it has 23 patios surrounded by Herrerian-style corridors. Originally, this building was an
orphanage; today, it is a cultural center that offers
various art workshops and holds
diverse cultural events.
Palacio Municipal ? Located
on Avendia Hidalgo between Pedro Loza and Avenida Alcade. Architect Vicente Mendiola designed this neoclassical-style building built between 1949 and 1952. It has two floors with
the lower level surrounded by various portals. In addition, it has five panels with
beautiful paintings by
Gabriel Flores. The Palacio Municipal is the city
government?s main office building.
Catedral Metropolitana ?Dedicated
to the Virgin
of Assumption, this structure was built between
the 16th and 18th
centuries. Although it blends various
architectural styles, the Gothic style
stands out. Inside, there are nine altars and three
chapels with neoclassical altarpieces. Near the vestry
you?ll find La Purisima Concepcion,
an important painting by Bartolome Esteban
Murillo. Located on Avenida
16 de Septiembre, between Hidalgo and
Morelos.
Rotonda de los
Jaliscienses Ilustres
? This circular monument
dates back to 1951 and it has 17 striated columns without a base or a capital. It has 98 urns, but only
a few are actually used. In a special crypt lies the
mummified body of military leader
Ramon Corona. In addition, statues of 11 illustrious
Jaliscan figures watch over the monument.
Located between Avenida
Alcalde, Avenida Hidalgo, Independencia and Liceo.
