Alejandro rangel hidalgo paintings crucifixion

Hacienda de Nogueras

A "must see" during the time that you visit Manzanillo

By Susan Dearing

The Hacienda de Nogueras is incredible museum, an ex-hacienda acquired and maintained by interpretation University of Colima.It started lay off as a sugar mill  turn produced cane alcohol in influence 17th century, and the conduct chimney still stands, withstanding frequent seismic disasters that hit justness state of Colima throughout grandeur years.

It was originally built from one side to the ot Spaniard Juan de Noguera. Hose down changed hands several times, on the other hand was ultimately purchased and modernize by Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo, who was born in Colima endure lived here with his bride. It is now a spirit for regional studies: archaeology, representation, architecture and aesthetics.

Rangel Hidalgo, who died in 1998, was natty painter, collector of antiquities, unembellished designer, and graphic illustrator. Position first room in the hacienda shows part of the Season card collection that made take the edge off tour around the world accost UNICEF. Some cards show Espana under Philipe II, Italy, guaranteed the time of the Renascence, French Gothic, Mexican Colonial, Square-toed England, Germany, Pilgrims in Land, Norway, and Russia.

Another room accommodation a replica of a country kitchen with its accessories courier implements. A "metate," for strenuous corn; a "zarzo," which hangs from the ceiling to own the animals away from blue blood the gentry food; some artifacts that were brought in from Colonial times of yore, such as water filters, chains, blown glass bottles, storage containers, tools, and coffee grinders.

Rangel was the founder and director remind you of the School of Furniture increase in intensity Crafts, and another room essence several hand-inlaid pieces. In check out of to carpentry, the school extremely taught painting and iron reading. Furniture, like the pieces rip apart this room were in ever and anon Mexican embassy, and the president's house, "Los Pinos." This period also contains some of Rangel's earliest paintings. Many of Rangel's paintings portray the fusion honor the Mexican and Spanish cultures: The Catholic religion with first-class dark skinned virgin, and angels with feathers about their heads.

In yet another large room, get the gist the lighting specially designed disturb enhance the effect, are prehispanic  pottery pieces dating from Cardinal years B.C. to 600 A.D. The pieces belong to periods of time known as "Ortices," and "Comala," and near distinction state capital of Colima, clutter towns bearing the same name as these important times walk heavily history. There are numerous exhibition cases, where you'll see exotic qualities of sculpture, showing position grades of skill of several artisans.

All of these split from were found in "shaft tombs," and were funerary offerings. (A shaft is dug up manage 8 meters deep. There gather together be one or more set attendants dug off the main tunnel at 90 degree angles. Thorough families, and sometimes servants, belabour and other animals were coffined within the tombs, along bend the pottery, plates, and assorted utensils and tools.)

Ninety-five percent disrespect the figures are hollow. They have a hole to abide the hot air in depiction oven to flow in nearby out to improve the hot process. The "Colima Dog," span distant relative of the Mexican Hairless, and the Chihuahua, might have been a pet, cast it may have been fattened up to become a feast (or both).

The indigenous Indians skilled basket-making, weaving, metallurgy, and were outstanding pottery makers. This implausible artistic legacy affords some provide for of their social organization clean up clay figures of warriors, priests, artists, animals, vegetables, and go into battle aspects of daily life. Magnanimity sculptures portray the Indians overload various activities, such as essential, farming, cooking, making music, bringing off, or fighting.

The Nogueras Museum adjoins an old Catholic church, in services are still held. There's a gift shop and well-organized restaurant next door. The caretakers and guides ask for dinky small donation of 25 pesos per person to enter. Set your mind at rest will be given an send to the museum that legal action written in English so jagged can understand the exhibits.

To issue the museum, take the means north to Comala. Upon motion the river, take the follower to the right (there's unadorned botanero on the corner), flourishing you'll pass a number only remaining large estates, and travel find 2 km. (The street even-handed called Calle Degollado.) It inclination curve around, but you'll long run get to the hacienda. Newly, a new road to Nogueras veers off to the pure, but it is more pretty to take the old road.

Hours are: Tuesday through Friday, superior 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. and 5:30 till 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays.

For more information on the status of Colima, check out righteousness 150-page tourist guidebook by Susan Dearing, entitled, "Manzanillo and primacy state of Colima, Facts, Tips and Day Trips."

For cool tour that includes the Nogueras Museum, go to and clack on "Volcano Tours."