Visit to Another Neighborhood

My wanderings around Mexico City have taken me to various neighborhoods in the city, and last week I visited another one, or at least a small portion of one... Mixcoac.

In the pre-Hispanic era, Mixcoac was town on the shore of Lake Texcoco, the lake which surrounded the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.  Later it was a separate municipality from Mexico City, until it was absorbed into the growing capital in 1928.  I explored the center of the former town, a pleasant area tucked between the busy avenues of Insurgentes and Patriotismo.  

Leaving the bustle of Insurgentes behind, I entered a district of quiet, shady residential streets.

At the heart of old Mixcoac is the parish church of Santo Domingo.  Its construction began in 1648.

The main altar of the church is rather interesting.  Very old religious images are set against a modern renovation.

The altarpiece of the Chapel of the Rosary, however, is typical 17th century Baroque.

The adjoining former monastery is even older.  It dates back to 1595.

Beyond the church is a pretty little plaza with the typical "kiosco" or bandstand.

This colonial building, which was originally an 18th century textile factory, today houses the "Universidad Panamericana", a private Catholic school.

The building which used to be Mixcoac's city hall is now a neighborhood cultural center.

Inside the entrance of the cultural center are mural paintings which depict Mexico's indigenous and European roots.

I wonder about the story behind this old building which is called the "House of the Bell".

Quickly the tranquility of this neighborhood is broken as I reach Patriotismo Avenue.  Here a luxury apartment building is under construction.

At least the architects decided to save this pretty house which is on the construction site and to incorporate it into their design.