Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro (World Heritage)
The five former missions in the state of Querétaro were built in the middle of the 18th century and also served to pacify the remote and sparsely populated mountain region of the Sierra Gorda. A characteristic feature of the churches is the combination of Christian and traditional Indian motifs in the facade design.
Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro: facts Hide table
| Official title: | Franciscan missions in the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro |
| Cultural monument: | Mision Santiago in Jalpan de Serra (1751–1758), Mision San Miguel Concá (1750–1754), Mision San Francisco de Asís in the Valle de Tilaco (1754–1762), Mision Nuestra Señora de la Luz in Tancoyol (around 1765), Mision Santa María de la Purísima Concepción in Landa de Matamoros (1760–1768) |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Querétaro, northwest of Mexico City |
| Appointment: | 2003 |
| Meaning: | outstanding example for the cultural mixing of artistic achievements of the missionaries and indians |
Mayan city of Calakmul (World Heritage)
The ancient Mayan city of Calakmul was an important political and religious center with pyramid-shaped temples, tombs, stone houses, streets and squares and around 50,000 residents. It is the largest ruined city from the classical Maya period. There are no fewer than 100 monumental structures and over 5000 buildings on around 30 km². Like other Maya cities, Calakmul was abandoned by the nobility in the 10th century and fell into disuse until the city was rediscovered in 1931.
Mayan city of Calakmul: facts
| Official title: | Mayan city of Calakmul (Campeche) |
| Cultural monument: | Former Mayan ceremonial center; Discovered in 1931 by the American Cyrus Lundell; next to Tikal in Guatemala one of the Maya great powers; pyramid-shaped, large temples, tombs, steles, stone houses and streets from the classical Mayan era |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Calakmul, Campeche State |
| Appointment: | 2002, extension 2014 |
| Meaning: | Testimony to the highly developed urban culture of the Maya |
Campeche (World Heritage)
The port city on the west coast of Yucatán has preserved its colonial legacy from the 17th and 18th centuries. The old town with the chessboard-like floor plan has numerous baroque facades as well as colonial city walls and fortifications.
Campeche: facts
| Official title: | Historic city and fortress of Campeche |
| Cultural monument: | Typical baroque port city from the Spanish colonial era; built in military style; well-preserved city walls and fortifications for defense against pirates |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Campeche, on the west coast of the Yucatán Peninsula |
| Appointment: | 1999 |
| Meaning: | Exceptional example of 17th and 18th century military architecture and the Spanish defense system |
Xochicalco (World Heritage)
Xochicalco is the archaeological site of a political and religious center of the pre-Columbian period from 700 to 1000 AD. However, the settlement goes back even further. Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec and Toltec have left their mark here. Numerous temples, ball playgrounds, baths, steles and reliefs as well as an observatory have been preserved. The main pyramid (“Temple of the Feathered Serpent”), consecrated to the deity Quetzalcoatl, is particularly well known.
Xochicalco: facts
| Official title: | Xochicalco archaeological site |
| Cultural monument: | Well-preserved political, religious and commercial center from AD 650 to 900 (after the fall of Teotihuacán); Traces of settlement since 200 BC Chr.; Traces of Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec and Toltec; “Temple of the Feathered Serpent” (Quetzalcoatl) as the most famous building |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Xochicalco in the state of Morelos |
| Appointment: | 1999 |
| Meaning: | Exceptionally well-preserved archaeological site with valuable references to the life of the peoples of Mesoamerica |
Rock carvings in the Sierra de San Francisco (World Heritage)
The rock carvings in the Sierra de San Francisco date from 100 BC. BC to AD 1300 and are significant examples of pre-Columbian art. Numerous animal and human representations can be found in caves and on rock niches.
Rock Art in the Sierra de San Francisco: Facts
| Official title: | Rock carvings in the Sierra de San Francisco |
| Cultural monument: | Monumental rock drawings – including animal and human representations with black and red pigments – in caves and rock niches such as the Cueva Pintada and the Cueva del Enjambre del Hipólito |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | In the El Vizcaíno desert, northwest of Santa Rosalía |
| Appointment: | 1993 |
| Meaning: | One of the most important examples of pre-Columbian art |
Gulf of California (World Heritage)
According to historyaah, the world heritage comprises 244 islands and numerous stretches of coast. The area in the Gulf of California, a tributary of the Pacific, is one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world and is of inestimable value for marine research. Almost 200 species of birds, more than 30 species of marine mammals such as the California gray whale and humpback whale, and almost 900 different species of fish cavort there.
Gulf of California: Facts
| Official title: | Islands and reserves of the Gulf of California |
| Natural monument: | 44 islands and coastal region of the Gulf of California, an elongated tributary sea of the Pacific Ocean open to the southeast between the west coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula; one of the most biodiverse protected areas on earth of impressive beauty; diverse flora and fauna: 695 plant species, 891 fish species, 90 of them endemic; huge whale population; Habitat of 39% of all marine mammal species worldwide |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Gulf of California, northeast Mexico |
| Appointment: | 2005 |
| Meaning: | Marine area with unique diversity; outstanding importance for ecological research and marine science as well as for the conservation of biodiversity; Natural area of exceptional beauty |
