Heritage with Related Tags
Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Built in the 16th century to protect the royal inland routes, the fortified city reached its peak in the 18th century, when many outstanding religious and civic buildings were built in the Mexican Baroque style. Some of these buildings are masterpieces of the transition from Baroque to Neoclassicism. The Temple of the Society of Jesus, 14 kilometers from town, was also built in the 18th century and is one of the finest examples of Baroque art and architecture in New Spain. It consists of a cathedral and several chapels, all decorated with paintings by Rodriguez Juárez and murals by Miguel Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre. Due to its location, San Miguel de Allende became a melting pot of cultural exchange between Spanish, Creole and Amerindian peoples, and the Temple of Jesus of Atotonilco is an outstanding example of cultural exchange between Europe and Latin America. Its architecture and interior decoration reflect the influence of the teachings of St. Ignatius de Loyola.
Baalbek
This Phoenician city, dedicated to a trinity of gods, was known as Heliopolis during the Hellenistic period. It retained its religious function during the Roman period, when the Temple of Jupiter Heliopolis attracted thousands of pilgrims. Baalbek has monumental buildings and is one of the finest examples of Roman Empire architecture at its height.