The sites considered World Heritage in Mexico have met with the requirements set by the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) and have been nominated for the International Heritage by the UNESCO committee because of its exceptional importance, cultural or natural are diverse and distributed throughout the country. These sites can be forest, mountains, lakes, deserts, buildings, complexes, and cities.
Mexico has the largest numbers of sites declared "World Heritage" throughout the American continent.
The sites that make up the cultural heritage in Mexico are:
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Mexico City Historic Center and Xochimilco
During the XVI century the Spaniards built over the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the Ancient Aztec capital. Mexico City is now one of the largest and densely populated cities in the world. Among the temples they have identified the existence of ruins of five Aztec temples. Above these they have constructed different religious buildings since the colonial era, like the cathedral (the largest in the continent) and some public buildings in the 19th and 20th centuries as The Palace of Fine Arts.
Xochimilco is 28 km south of Mexico City. With its networks of canals and artificial islands it is evidence that the Aztecs did a great effort to construct its habitat in the midst of an unfavorable environment. The characteristics of urban and rural structures, built since XVI century and during the colonial period are exceptionally well preserved.
Historical Center of Oaxaca and Monte Alban Archeological Site
It was inhabited for a period of 1,500 years in successions by different cultures: Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs -terraces, canals, pyramids and artificial temples of Monte Alban were literally carved on the mountain and are symbols of a sacred topography.
The nearby city of Oaxaca, which was traced with an orthogonal pattern, is a good example of the planning of a Spanish colonial city. The strength and volume of the buildings of the city show that it's an adaption to a seismic region in which these architectural gems have been built.
Historic Center of Puebla
Puebla was founded by "ex ni hilo" (from nothing) in 1531; it is located approximately 100 kilometers east of Mexico City, at the foot of the volcano Popocatepetl. It has preserved its large religious structures such as the Cathedral constructed in the XVI and XVII century and other ancient buildings like the former Archbishops palace, besides being possessor of large homes and palaces with walls covered in tiles.
The new aesthetic concepts resulting from the European and American fusion were adopted locally and are peculiar to the baroque district of Puebla.
Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque
Palenque is a Mayan city located in what is now the Mexican state of Chiapas, near the Usumacinta River. It is one of the most impressive sites of this culture. Compared to other Mayan sites, it is considered of medium size: smaller than Tikal or Copán, it stands out for its architectural and sculptural heritage.
The area discovered up to 2005 covers an area of 2.5 km2, but it is estimated that only less than 10% of the total area of the city has been explored, but more than one thousand structures remain covered by jungle. In 1981 Palenque was designated "Protected Area".
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán
The sacred city of Teotihuacan (The place where men become Gods) is located 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City. It was built between the 1st and 7th century of our era, characterized for its large monuments- in particular the temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, which are arranged under geometric and symbolic principles.
As one of the most powerful cultural centers in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan extended its cultural and artistic influence throughout the region and beyond.
Historical Center of Guanajuato and adjacent mines
Founded by the Spanish in the early XVI century, Guanajuato became the most important silver mining center in the world in the XVIII century. We can see this reflected in its "subterranean streets "and "The Mouth of Hell", an impressive mine 600 meters deep.
The elegant baroque and neoclassical buildings of this city, is a result of the prosperity of the mines, this influenced the construction of other buildings throughout Central México. The churches of La Compañia and La Valenciana are fine examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America.
Guanajuato was also witness to events that have changed history.
Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza
It was one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan Peninsula. Throughout it's nearly 1,000 years of history many cultures have left a great legacy in this city. The vision of the Mayan and Toltec universe is revealed through their stone monuments and their artwork.
The fusion of the Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen- Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatan. Several buildings have survived, including the Temple of the Warriors, The Castle and the circular observatory known as The Snail (El Caracol).
Historic Center of Morelia
Morelia was built in the sixteenth century and is an outstanding example of urban planning that combines the ideas of the Spanish Renaissance with the Mesoamerican experience. It is well adjusted on the foot of the hill on which it stands; its streets still follow the original design.
More than 200 historic buildings, all built in pink stone characteristic of the region. These buildings reflect the architectural history of the town, revealing a masterful and electric mix of the medieval spirit with Renaissance and neoclassical elements. Morelia is the birthplace of several important celebrities of independent Mexico and has played an important role in history.
Pre-Hispanic city of El Tajin
Located in the state of Veracruz, El tajin lived its peak in the early IX century and early XIII century. It became the most important center of Northeastern Mesoamerica after the fall of the Teotihuacan Empire. Its cultural influence extended all along the Gulf and penetrated through the Mayan region and the Central Highlands of Mexico. Its architecture, which is unique in Mesoamerica, is characterized by elaborate carved reliefs on columns and friezes.
The "Pyramid of the Niches" is a masterpiece of the ancient Mexican and American architecture, revealing the astronomical and symbolic significance of the buildings. El Tajin has survived as an outstanding example of its greatness and importance of the Pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico.
Historic Center of Zacatecas
Founded in 1546 after the discovery of a rich silver lode, Zacatecas reached its greatest prosperity
between the XVI and XVII century. It was built on steep slopes of a narrow valley, with stunning views and a great diversity of old buildings, both civil and religious.
The cathedral was built between 1730 and 1760 and dominates the historic center of downtown. It is remarkable for its harmonious design and baroque profusion facades, where European and native decorative elements can be found side by side.
Rock Paintings from the Sierra de San Francisco
From the year 100 BC to 1300 AC, the Sierra of San Francisco ( in the Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaino, in Baja California Sur) was home to people who have now disappeared, but left one of the most outstanding rock painting collections of the world. They are remarkably well preserved, due to the dry weather and the inaccessibility of the place.
Human figures and many animal species are shown and illustrate the relationship between humans and their environment; the paintings reveal a highly sophisticated culture.
Its composition , size, accuracy of its contours, the variety of colors, but overall , the number of places they are found, these paintings make an impressive testimony to a unique artistic tradition.
Early XVI Century Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl
These 14 monasteries are located on the slopes of the Popocatepetl volcano, southeast of Mexico City. They are in an excellent state of conservation and are outstanding examples of architectural style adopted by the first Franciscan missionaries, Dominicans and Augustans. Their mission was to convert the natives to Christians in the early XVI century.
These Monasteries also represent an example of the new architectural conception which the open spaces are of renovation importance. The influence of this style can be verified across Mexican territory and beyond its borders.
Historical Monument Zone of Queretaro
The colonial town of Queretaro has the peculiarity of combining the orthogonal planned streets of the Spanish conquerors with the twisting alleys of the native neighborhoods.
The Otomi, Tarascan, Chichimecas and Spaniard lived together peacefully in this town which is noticible because of the sheer quantity and quality of Baroque monuments with civil and religious ornaments of that period in the XVII and XVIII century.
Prehispanic Villa of Uxmal
The Mayan City of Uxmal in Yucatan was founded in 700AC lodging 25,000 people. The layout of the buildings reveal advanced knowledge in astronomy and these date between 700 and 1000.
The Pyramid of the prediction, named by the Spanish, dominates the Ceremonial Center. This center consists of buildings decorated with abundant symbolic motifs and sculptures that interpret Chac, God of the rain. The ceremonial site of Uxmal, Kabah; Labna and Sayil are considered the climax of Mayan art and architecture.
Cabañas Orphanage, Guadalajara
The Orphanage Cabañas was built in the early XIX century to provide care and comfort for the needy-orphans, elderly, homeless and chronically disabled. This remarkable complex includes several unusual features; it was designed specifically to meet the needs of its occupants, being one of the kind in that period.
It is noticeable the harmonious relationship between the open spaces and the construction, the simplicity of its design and size. In the early XX century, the chapel was decorated with an extraordinary series of murals, now considered masterpieces of Mexican art. They are art works of Jose Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the period.
Paquimé Archaeological Zone, Casas Grandes
Paquimé, Casas Grandes which reached its splendor between the XIV and XV century played an important role as commercial and cultural connection between the towns of Southwest United States and Northern Mexico, and the most advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica.
The archaeological remains are only part of what has been excavated. They are clear evidence of the vitality of a culture that adapted perfectly to their environment, but disappeared suddenly with the Spanish Conquest.
Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan
Tlacotalpan, a Spanish colonial shore port, near the Gulf of Mexico, was founded in the mid- sixteenth century.
It has preserved its image and original urban design in a remarkable degree, with wide streets, homes with arches in a great variety of styles, and large areas of vegetation in public spaces and in private gardens.
Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco
Xochicalco is an exceptionally well preserved example of a political-religious-trading-center fortified the period 650 to 900 of our era and followed to the breakup of major Mesoamerican centers such as Teotihuacan, Montealbán, Palenque and Tikal.
Historic Fort in Campeche
The port town of Campeche is a model of the development of a Baroque colonial town, with the planning of its streets and its big defensive walls surrounding the historic center reflect the influence of military architecture in the Caribbean. The fortification system of Campeche is a clear example of military architecture of the XVII and XVIII century. This was part of a global defense system developed by the Spanish to protect themselves from pirate attacks in the ports of the Caribbean Sea
Ancient Mayan City of Calakmul
Many commemorative styles in Calakmul are excellent examples of Mayan art which gave a great perspective to the political and spiritual development of the city. In one scene Calakmul displays a series of exceptionally well preserved monuments and open spaces descriptive of Mayan architecture, art and urban development for a period of more than 12 centuries. The political and spiritual way of life of lowland regions of the Mayan cities is admirably demonstrated by the impressive ruins of Calakmul. It is an example of a significant phase of human settlement and architectural development.
Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro.
The Sierra Gorda Missions display an important exchange of values in the process of evangelization of northern and central Mexico and western United States. The five Franciscan missions show us the cultural encounter of European missionaries with nomad settlements from central Mexico, maintaining a significant testimony in this second phase of evangelization in North America.
House and studio of Luis Barragán
The house and studio of Luis Barragán was built in 1948 and represents a masterpiece of the new developments in the modern movement and integrates traditional, philosophical and artistic trends into a new synthesis. The work of Luis Barragán demonstrates the integration of traditional and modern influences which also had a major impact especially on the projection of gardens and urban landscapes.
The Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila
This destination has the objective to identify and promote from the viewpoint of the preservation of cultural heritage the values and contributions of the region located on the foothills of the Tequila Volcano in the state of Jalisco as a significant part of the countries cultural identity. This proposal for the first time is explored in our country the possibility of recognizing, with all its complexity, cultural and heritage values in a wide region, which involves other properties, the pre-Hispanic vestiges of Traditional Teuchitlán, developed in the region and know as "Guachimontones"; the natural landscape formed by the foothills of the Tequila Volcano and the deep canyon of the Rio Grande de Santiago, the scenery has been changed for centuries by man through the cultivation of blue agave. This valuable industrial heritage is made up of ancient tequila facilities, a collection of traditional architecture and significant ancestral traditions and cultural practices preserved for centuries in the valleys of Tequila and Amatitán.
Central Campus of University City of the UNAM
The complex of buildings, sports facilities and open spaces of the Central Campus of the University of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), was built from 1949 to 1952 by more than 60 architects, engineers and artists who were involved in this project.
As a result, the campus establishes a unique example of twentieth century modernism, intergrating architecture, engineering, landscaping and fine arts with reference to local traditions, especially the past of pre-Hispanic Mexico. This complex expresses cultural and social values of universal significance and is one of the most significant icons of modernity of Latin America.
NATURAL HERITAGE
Sian Ka'an
In the language of the Maya people who once occupied this region Sian Ka´an means "Where the sky is born". Located on the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangrove and swamps, also a large marine section crossed by a coral reef.
It maintains a habitat consisting of remarkable flora and fauna which includes over 300 species of birds and also a great number of vertebrate's characteristic of the region, which cohabits in this diverse environment, thanks to its complex hydrological system.
Whale Santuary of El Vizcaino
Located in the central part of the peninsula of Baja California Sur, the sanctuary contains some of the most interesting and extraordinary ecosystems. The costal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are important breeding sites and hibernating grounds for the gray whales, seals, California sea lions, elephant seal and blue whale. The lagoons are also homes to four species of sea turtles in danger of extinction.
Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
The site covers 244 islands, islets and coastal areas that are located in the Gulf of California in northeastern Mexico. This site is superior to any other maritime or islander considered heritage of mankind, since it represents a unique example in which in a very short distance, there are simultaneously "bridge islands"(populated by land at sea level during the melting glaciers) and oceanic islands(populated by sea and air). Also, almost all oceanographic developments that occur in the oceans of the planet are present on this site, giving it an extraordinary importance for the studies of marine and costal proceedings. These proceedings are truly helping to sustain the high marine productivity and biodiversity richness that characterize the Gulf of California
This is a site of amazing natural beauty in a dramatic setting formed by rugged terrain islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches that contrast with the bright images of the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters. The diversity of shapes and colors is complemented by a richness of birds and marine life. The diversity and abundance of marine life join the spectacular submarine shapes and its crystalline waters, makes this place a paradise for divers.
The diversity of worldly and marine life is extraordinary and sets up a unique ecosystem of high priority for the conservation of the biodiversity. The number of species of vascular plants (695) that exist on this site is the highest reported in other marine and costal sites, including those on the list of world heritage. The number of fish species (891) is also the highest compared with several marine and island sites. Also the marine endemism is important, with 90 species of endemic fish. The site shelters 39% of the total number of marine mammals in the world and one third of the world's marine cetacean species. This site includes a good sample of the Sonora Desert ecosystems, considered one of the richest deserts in the world.
ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
The native festivities dedicated to the dead.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead is one of the multiple effects of the encounter of two worlds. However, in Mexico it has been the cause and origin of a great variety of cultural expressions that evolve around this annual celebration.
Historical and anthropological studies have proved that the celebration dedicated to the dead not only share an ancient ceremonial practice where the catholic tradition and pre-Columbian come together, but also a variety of demonstrations that support the ethnic plurality and culture of the country.
The representation around the dead have led to a symbolic and ritual architecture which is expressed in an infinity of plastic arts, craftsmanship and species of ephemeral art produced in different indigenous regions of Mexico.
MEMORY PROGRAM OF THE WORLD
Collection of Mexican Codices
Memory of the World inscribed in 1997
Manuscripts and documents of the marquees of the Valley of Oaxaca
Memory of the World inscribed in 1997
Techialoyan Codex of Cuajimalpa
In a document preserved in the General Archive of the Nation, narrates the origin of the manor of Cuajimalpa. It describes in the codex how the indigenous communities were established in various locations of what is now the Valley of Mexico (anciently the regions of Lake Texcoco). The Codex contains 45 pages with images and text written in Nahuatl. The manuscript comprises a series of images directly related with the lands belonging to a village.
It also includes a regional map, topographic data, and historical, economical and ecological descriptions.
- Negative original of the movie Los Olvidados (1950) by Luis Buñuel was deposited in the custody of the library of the National Autonomous University of Mexico
Palafoxiana Library of Puebla, rich literature and articles
Five thousand volumes were the base for the formation of this library and they were donated by Don Juan Palafox y Mendoza; later on Fabian y Fuero , achieved to incorporate parts of the bibliographic content of the Jesuit college network of Puebla after the expulsion of this order in 1767.In 1772 he gave up his own library. Afterwards the libraries of Bishops Manuel Fernandez de Santa Cruz and Don Francisco Pablo Vazquez as well as Dean de la Cathedral, Jose Francisco Irigoyen were added on. After the Reformed government of President Benito Juarez, Puebla's religious schools volumes were incorporated.
This library accommodates 43,000 volumes containing issues for seminary students like: theology, philosophy, canon law, catechism, doctrine and sacred scriptures all written in ancient languages: Hebrew, Latin, Sanskrit, Chaldean and Greek. Another pile is written in Nahuatl and very few can be read in Spanish.
It is considered a bibliographic museum, because of its nature it is restricted to researchers and specialist, and in all America it is unique in its content.
Collection of Indigenous Languages
These books were written for evangelization purposes during the colonial era and during the XIX century. The volumes stored information about four centuries of religious acculturation and changes in the languages spoken in one part of the American continent that exceeded the present boarders of Mexico. These texts illustrate the development of historiography linguistics and historical linguistics.
Also the collection has a high linguistics value, because it conserves both the conceptual tools of study and the registration of languages that in some cases have disappeared. In those languages they kept a record of how each of those languages was spoken when they were in contact with the Spanish.
Before the diachronic variation of languages these "arts", vocabulary and catechisms have registered a moment in history of each one of these languages.
Source: Wikipedia
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrimonio_de_la_Humanidad_en_M%C3%A9xico
Visit Mexico
Mexico City, the oldest metropolis in the Americas, is overlooked by the Popocatépetl and Iztacíhuatl volcanoes and is distinguished for having an excellent weather with an average annual temperature of 22 °C.
