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 luck...