Earliest 16th-Century
Monasteries
on the Slopes of Popocatepetl (1994)
Mexico
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These 14 monasteries stand on the slopes of Popocatepetl, to the south-east
of Mexico City.
They are in an excellent state of conservation and are good examples of the architectural style adopted by the first missionaries – Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians – who converted the indigenous populations to Christianity in the early 16th century.
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Popocatépetl is a volcano in south central Mexico, in Puebla State, near Mexico City. It is sometimes called Puebla Volcano after the state in which it is located. It is the second highest peak in Mexico, 5,452 m (17,887 ft) above sea level. The volcano, which has a snow-covered cone, occasionally emits smoke.
In 2000 Popocatépetl had its largest eruption in more than 1,000 years, spewing hot rocks and ash. The crater is 612 m (2,008 ft) across at the widest point and 400 m (1,312 ft) across at its narrowest point and has a maximum depth of 505 m (1,657 ft). Sulfur is obtained from the crater. Popocatépetl means “Smoking Mountain” in the Native American Nahuatl language.
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Sources and links:
Other World Heritage sites in Mexico (on this website). Inactive links are not described on stamps. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, Mexico-section, for further information about the individual properties.
Revised 08 aug 2006 |
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