Mosaic Monday/Mexico Monday: Parrocchia

Here is my contribution for

MOSAIC MONDAY

and MEXICO MONDAY.

Enjoy!

Images of San Miguel de Allende's Parrocchia © 2010 Meri Arnett-Kremian.

One of the most recognizable landmarks

of San Miguel de Allende is the city's Parrocchia,

one of the many parish churches rather than a basilica.

It has a neo-Gothic facade clad in a beautiful pink stone

and its fanciful appearance has reminded some of

Disney creations.  

The church was built in the 17th century 

with a more conventional exterior, but "redecorated"

in 1880 by Zeferino Gutierrez. 

He was an indigenous bricklayers and 

self-taught architect who was shown 

postcards and lithographs of European 

cathedrals in the Gothic style 

and asked if he could replicate the look.

The resulting revision -- which reclad

the exterior walls of the church --

is his own interpretation

rather than a copycat cathedral. 

The interior of the Parrocchia is quite traditional.

We were lucky to be touring 

on the one day each year 

when the church's crypt was open for visits. 

The crypt contains the remains 

of former bishops of the church and other dignitaries, including a former president of Mexico.