My first stop in my tour of the historical district of Duadalajara was the Instituto Cultural Cabanas. It was a nice 15-20 minutes walk east from my hotel at the heart of the district and this wonderful structure was at the eastern border of that district. It is UNESCO heritage site and considered one of the oldest hospitals in the Americas, mainly due to its unique architecture and gigantic murals, and nowadays it serves as a cultural center and a host to art exhibitions.
UNESCO writes:
The Hospicio Cabañas was built at the beginning of the 19th century to provide care and shelter for the disadvantaged – orphans, old people, the handicapped and chronic invalids. This remarkable complex, which incorporates several unusual features designed specifically to meet the needs of its occupants, was unique for its time. It is also notable for the harmonious relationship between the open and built spaces, the simplicity of its design, and its size. In the early 20th century, the chapel was decorated with a superb series of murals, now considered some of the masterpieces of Mexican art. They are the work of José Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the period.
Want to see some murals?
Yes, they’re everywhere and quite remarkable.
The entire complex is filled with arts…
and the architecture is quite special…
And lots of rooms with terrific art…
Overall, a great way to start a beautiful day in a lovely historical Mexican town…
Location:
More on Guadalajara to come…