Source: WTL photo© taken on site in Cuernavaca. The previous photograph (<= Cuernavaca #5) was shot from an arch in the second-floor balcony.
Image: This is the façade of the so-called Palacio de Cortés, which he built with slave labor in 1530-1532. Currently, it houses the Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac, which has a good collection of archeological and historical artifacts. In addition it has 20th century mural paintings by Diego Rivera (=> Cuernavaca #8).
Comments: Cortés built his palace, which doubled as fortress, on the site of an Aztec pyramid, which he ordered razed. This means that many of Cortés's basic building materials are stones orginally quarried and cut by the Mexicas/Aztecs and indigenous people from Cuauhnáhuac. Cortés lived here from 1532 to 1540, except when he was back in Spain or off on various trips of discovery and conquest. The architect may have been a major architect imported by Cortés from Santo Domingo.
Humanities Questions: (A) What style of architecture do you see here? (B) What notable features does the façade of this building display?
Embedded Images : See: (1) => Palacio de Cortés, 6a; (2) => Palacio de Cortés, 6b; (3) => Palacio de Cortés, 6c.