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Home » Destinations » Central America » Mexico

Hospicio Cabañas, and the Murals of José Clemente Orozco

Modified: Mar 22, 2017 · Published: May 26, 2013 by Dave Lee |

Chapel at Hospicio Cabañas
Chapel at Hospicio Cabañas

[L]ocated in Guadalajara's historic city center, a short 15-minute walk from the Cathedral, is Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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. -- UNESCO

As part of my new effort to visit more World Heritage Sites, I stopped into Hospicio Cabañas on my last day in Guadalajara.

Mural by José Clemente Orozco in the Chapel's dome
The Chapel's dome features the "Man on Fire" mural by José Clemente Orozco

Admission is 70 pesos ($5.50), plus an additional 30 pesos ($2.40) if you want to take photos.

The complex is an immense network of interconnected buildings, spaced apart by 23 courtyards.

The main attraction is the chapel decorated with murals by José Clemente Orozco.

According to UNESCO, "Orozco's murals in the chapel represent in part the most symbolic and characteristic elements of the indigenous culture of Mexico (gods, sacrifices, temples) and for the rest those of Spanish culture (kings, monks, churches).

The central feature represents the submission of humans to machines, culminating in the masterpiece Man of Fire ."

Additional ceiling murals in the chapel by José Clemente Orozco
Additional ceiling murals in the chapel by José Clemente Orozco

The English brochure for the site includes very little information about the murals, so unless you're with a guide, or reading you'll have no idea what you're looking at.

Still, I found his style aesthetically appealing, even if I didn't understand the themes.

Inside the Chapel at Hospicio Cabañas
Inside the Chapel at Hospicio Cabañas

There's not much else to see here, aside from a few small galleries in the adjacent buildings.

_______

UNESCO

Hospicio Cabañas became a World Heritage Site in 1997.

Click here for the full list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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