Querétaro

3.50 Arturo Saavedra - 10-Jun-20

A common issue when interpreting Latin American colonial cities is that there is frequently no accessible frame of reference that fully explains each urban ensemble's value. Neither the travel guide books nor the tourism departments try too hard to communicate each destination beyond the dubious hyperbole (the biggest / tallest / oldest in the Americas) and the cliché (the indigenous influence / the local adaptation). After reading the reviews of Querétaro, I think that this city has suffered a lot from these superficial approaches.

Colonia del Sacramento

2.00 Arturo Saavedra - 06-Jun-20

There are no impressive sights or first-class attractions in Colonia del Sacramento. There are no large convents, nor cathedrals. There are no old mansions or prominent civil buildings to keep in mind before traveling. I would even say that there is not a single building that reflects a distinctive urban, architectural or artistic identity. Almost any Latin American colonial city has more things to see and do than this picturesque little Uruguayan town.

However, Colonia is a charming city. Its location on the banks of the Río de la Plata, the quietness of its cobbled streets and the friendliness of the locals make the visit worthwhile. The atmosphere is laid back and there are plenty of good restaurants and high-end souvenir shops

Pre-Hispanic City of Cantona (T)

Arturo Saavedra - 04-Jun-20

Cantona is one of the most unique ancient cities you could find in Mesoamerica. At first glance, all the usual elements are there: Pyramids, palaces, ball courts and plazas. However, there are some key aspects in which it deviates from any other settlement in the region. The first one is its urban plan. While Mesoamericans cities usually follow a symmetrical distribution, Cantona is configured as a complex and intact network of irregular streets and alleys that communicate dozens of residential and administrative units, clearly differentiated by class and rank.