Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Santa Maria La Ribera, Mexico City















Yes, this is Mexico City!! Welcome to el Kiosco Morisco de la Alameda in the centre of the plaza of Santa Maria la Ribera. It was Mexico's Pavillion for the International Expo held in New Orleans from December 1884 to May 1885, and it was moved to its present location as part of the centeneray celebrations for Mexican Independence in September 1910. It is a stunning piece of architecture....


















It has some really fine details to appreciate....
















Santa Maria La Ribera is a really interesting neighbourhood not far from the Centro Historico and just one block from the main thoroughfare Insurgentes. In some ways it is still a very rough and ready working class area, but still retains some stunning colonial architecture...



















Take a look at these gorgeous doors and windows just off the plaza...




















Not all the colonial architecture is in such a good state of repair, and there still are some dodgy streets, but wouldn't it be great if this did become more of an "up and coming" area as I already have my eye on "my" apartment overlooking the main plaza...Isn't it gorgeous???















I will leave you with a final shot of the Moroccan Pavillion in the late afternoon sun in the middle of what I think is one of Mexico City's most beautiful plazas. For more glimpses of the world this week, click here for My World Tuesday. Enjoy!!

13 comments:

Diane AZ said...

Stunning architecture, especially the old apartment overlooking the main plaza.

Sylvia K said...

Wow! How beautiful and what terrific architecture! And, yes, I love that old apartment overlooking the main plaza, too. Marvelous post and photos as always, Catherine! Was afraid I had missed you somehow this week! Glad I didn't! Have a lovely evening!

Sylvia

SandyCarlson said...

Mexico City is amazing. Thank you.

Rajesh said...

Lovely architecture. The details are exquisite.

magiceye said...

gorgeous indeed!

A Cuban In London said...

The photos are stunning and the history behind them just as interesting. Many thanks for such a wonderful tour.

Greetings from London.

Indrani said...

What amazing architectures, so beautifully captured in your shots. A feast to my eyes. Interesting writeup too.

Catherine said...

Hi everyone - Mexico City is always full of lovely surprises to discover...thanks for the appreciative comments

Unknown said...

The colonial architecture is gorgeous! Looks like some of it is ripe for renovation. It's always wonderful to see an old part of a city revived.

subu.ps said...

you do the same thing which I do about my place in my blog. Quite an informative post with nice pics

A Cuban In London said...

Bangers and mash! I'm afraid that's one of those British 'delicacies' I can do without, thank you very much. :-) My wife loves it but I always put a Cuban touch to it like substituting the mashed potatoes for rice.

Greetings from London.

Catherine said...

Thanks again Cuban, Stine, and Subu for stopping by...

Gary Denness said...

I've got to see that structure...one of these days! The amount of times I've been wandering aimlessly in that area, and yet I've never wandered past it. Soon...