Lagos de Moreno
Historical Monuments Zone
Abstract
Of great historical importance for the development of the provinces in northern Mexico, forms a part of the Royal Inland Road and is recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The two parts of its name come respectively from the river Lagos, which it abuts, and the hero of Mexican Independence Pedro Moreno. It is also the birthplace of the prominent writer Mariano Azuela (1873-1952).
It was founded in 1563 as a frontier settlement to contain the advance of the Chichimec tribes and protect the silver being sent back from the mines of Zacatecas. In the 17th and 18th centuries, due to its strategic situation and its agricultural potential, it was an important center for the production and distribution of goods destined for the mining population and the colonists occupying the northern provinces.
Due to the formal characteristics of its buildings, the harmony of its spaces and its urban layout, the city of Lagos de Moreno was declared a Zone of Historical Monuments in 1989. The zone encompasses an area of 1.55 km2 and comprises 149 city blocks that include 356 buildings of historical value constructed between the 17th and 19th centuries, which display the styles of successive epochs. Eleven buildings had religious purposes at some point in history: the monastery complexes of El Refugio, La Merced and Capuchinas, the churches of the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, San Felipe de Jesús, Rosario, Santuario de Guadalupe, Nuestra Señora de la Luz, Calvario and the chapels of Purísima and Señor de la Misericordia.
Other buildings were intended for educational and welfare purposes, as well as for the use of civil and military authorities, including: the Rafael Larios Hospital and asylum, the Rosas Moreno Theater, the Mesón de Jesús María, the bridge over the river Lagos, the School of Arts and Trades, the Miguel Leandro Guerra School and Rincón Gallardo.
The remaining constructions are private civilian buildings and their architecture, formal elements and overall urban physiognomy reflect the Baroque and above all the Neoclassical periods
Lagos de Moreno became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an integral part of the Royal Inland Road cultural route in 2010.
Parroquia de la Asunción
The current church is the third to be built on that site; the first was constructed shortly after the founding of the Villa, around 1563. It was small, with a thatched roof and tiles.
Teatro José Rosas Moreno
Under the design of architect Primitivo Serrano Flores, the construction of this building began between 1857 and 1887. It was inaugurated on May 5, 1907, with a performance of Verdi's opera, Aida.
Templo del Rosario
Building from the late 18th century, it retains the original façade, while the atrium and towers are later additions. It is constructed with pink, yellow, and violet cantera stone. Inside rests the remains of the poet José Rosas Moreno.
Puente de Lagos
In 1850, architect Valentín Méndez was commissioned to design a bridge. Initially, only two arches were constructed. Later, two more arches were added, but the work was halted again for two years. The fourth arch was completed in 1860, the year the bridge was inaugurated.
Santuario de Guadalupe
19th-century property. Its construction began in 1825 and was completed in 1841.
Templo del Refugio
19th-century property, whose construction began in 1833 and was completed in the early 20th century on the initiative of José María Reyes, a devout patron.
Biblioteca Pública Regional "Maria Soine de Helguera"
19th-century property. The expansion was inaugurated on August 2, 1997. In 1963, it housed the Miguel Leandro Primary School.
Templo de las Capuchinas
In 1741, the Franciscan priest Cervantes began the construction of a beaterio on the property of the young ladies Francisca and Teresa Manso de Zúñiga y Gallardo. In 1743, permission was granted for it to become a beaterio under the Capuchin Rule, which opened its doors to seven maidens.
Templo de las Capuchinas
