QRO - La Otra Banda - area north of the river

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The city of Querétaro is divided in two by the river & joined by the Puente (bridge) de San Sebastián. At one time, the area north of the river, often called La Otra Banda (the other side), was outside city limits. Most of the residents in this area were poor. Barrio San Sebastian was one of those neighborhoods.



Casa del Faldon, located at Primavera 45 Ote.
I didn’t catch it in a photo but have included a couple links for photos here. The elegant Casa del Faldón (coattail), with its attractive lookout tower, was built in the mid 17th century. Legend has it that during a religious procession, a Spanish Councilman was offended that the indigenous Mayor had a higher rank in the procession. He therefore yanked at the mounted Mayor’s dresscoat, ripping it at the tail (faldon). He then exiled the mayor to the zone north of the river which was outside the city limits at the time. The mayor then built a splendid house with lookout tower in front of the church & lived there until he died. That house became known as the Casa del Faldon which is now a cultural center. It has been cultural center since 1991

photos here:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/51432349

http://www.fotosqueretaro.com/kvdir/media/94/qroarq67001.jpg

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Photos

Plaza del Platitos (small plates)
looking south toward the river. The plaza is officially the Young Heroes of Chapultepec Plaza but it's better known as the Plaza del Platitos (small plates) because the surfaces are decorated with broken china.

The fountain in the foreground
The plaza is located at the bottom corner of Calle Invierno (winter street) where it meets the river (see the maps). Nearby is the equestrian statue of Ignacio Pérez.

Mosaics using broken pottery & china.
In the early 40s the state government decided to beautify the space with a small wall, benches & a fountain, all covered with mosaics using broken pottery & china (platitos) similar to the famous work of Antonio Gaudi, Park Güell in the city of Barcelona.
http://www.homeinbarcelona.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Park_Guell-Barcelona-image-3.jpeg

Looking south to the river
Mariachi groups once gathered in this plaza waiting to be hired for a party or serenade.

HISTORIC TRAIN STATION
Historic French style railroad station dates back to 1886.

Front side of the station facing the street
The city has been linked to the rest of the country via rail since 1882.

The station is located on Calle Heroe de Narcozari just north of Calle Primavera

Boarding platform
facing the tracks on the north side of the building. The pink lookout tower of the Casa del Faldon is visible on the right.

QRO is on the main rail line that runs from Laredo to Mexico City.

Most passenger rail service in Mexico was suspended in 1997. Highspeed passenger rail service between Mexico City & Qro is being planned for the future.

Ticket windows
and waiting area.

Comments

[Fred Perry]

Very nice coverage !
As you have been doing lately, the shots taken in bright sunlight once again show the sites and the skies very nicely ... I'd want to visit, if I were still travelling that far. What an original idea to use broken pieces of pottery for the benches ... sort of like Portuguese azulejos, but locally authentic! Thanks for another fine collection.

[Ben H]

Lovely mosaic
I also enjoy the neighbourhood street scene.