There are urban postcards that become true emblems of a people, which, without words or descriptions, faithfully represent a place. There are urban postcards that require no explanation, as everyone knows to which city they belong and they symbolize it worldwide. Such is the case of The Crown of Vallarta: a traditional postcard of the Mexican port.
Puerto Vallarta is a dream destination, where solid ancestral traditions are lived daily; a paradise that emerges gloriously between the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Pacific Ocean, where colonial houses with red tiles climb the mountains, from the beach to the sky, making the city center a true spectacle of nature, history, and tradition.
Thinking of Puerto Vallarta is thinking of that exquisite postcard that represents this Mexican port worldwide. Yes, of course! The blue waters of the sea, the red roofs of its picturesque buildings, the crown of the Parish, and of course, the Santa Rita flowers that, with their bright pink color, give a unique tropical air to this city that is pure art.
The Crown of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the symbol and emblem of this city. How could it not be so, owning such beauty that it outshines all other buildings in the Port. Its superb and baroque style embellishes the main tower of the Parish. Do you know what inspired its design? The crown of Maximilian of Habsburg’s wife, Empress Carlota. The emperor’s reign, which lasted from 1864 to 1867, but the memory of his wife will live on forever in this cobblestone-street city, materialized at the very top of the most important Church in Puerto Vallarta.
It was at the beginning of the 20th century when the temple’s foundations began to rise. In its early years, it was a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Its construction was interrupted on several occasions, such as during the cristero war times, which brought many disputes in the state of Jalisco regarding the Catholic Church’s prominence in civil proceedings. Finally, in the mid-20th century, construction of the main tower, the façade, and the famous crown was completed. This contrasts sharply with the architectural style of the parish, yet provides it with just the right elegance.
Visiting the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a must in Puerto Vallarta; exploring its interior and delighting in masterpieces of sacred art, admiring its façade, and climbing up to the famous crown will be an unforgettable experience.
Come to dive into local history; to traverse past times, visit the typical constructions of Vallarta, and lose yourself in the histories and traditions that make up the collective imagination of one of the most Mexican cities in the country, yes! Puerto Vallarta.
Portuguese Versión: A Coroa de Vallarta: uma tradicional postal do porto mexicano
