Mexico - Historic Centre of Zacatecas

"Founded in 1546 after the discovery of a rich silver lode, Zacatecas reached the height of its prosperity in the 16th and 17th centuries. Built on the steep slopes of a narrow valley, the town has breathtaking views and there are many old buildings, both religious and civil. The cathedral, built between 1730 and 1760, dominates the centre of the town. It is notable for its harmonious design and the Baroque profusion of its façades, where European and indigenous decorative elements are found side by side." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Cable Car over historic area of Zacatecas City, Mexico. Thanks to Natalia of Mexico.

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Typical narrow streets with embellished windows and balconies of Zacatecas, Mexico. Thanks to David of USA.

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Zacatecas Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Alonso of Mexico.

Mexico - Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica

"Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, part of the Mesoamerican region, is the arid or semi-arid zone with the richest biodiversity in all of North America. Consisting of three components, Zapotitlán-Cuicatlán, San Juan Raya and Purrón, it is one of the main centres of diversification for the cacti family, which is critically endangered worldwide. The valley harbours the densest forests of columnar cacti in the world, shaping a unique landscape that also includes agaves, yuccas and oaks. Archaeological remains demonstrate technological developments and the early domestication of crops. The valley presents an exceptional water management system of canals, wells, aqueducts and dams, the oldest in the continent, which has allowed for the emergence of agricultural settlements."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage 

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley - the original habitat of Mesoamerica - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Gabino of Mexico. Arrived on April 26, 2022.

Mexico - Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl

"The Franciscan Ensemble of the Monastery and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is part of the first construction programme launched 1524 for the evangelization and colonization of the northern territories of Mexico. The ensemble is one of the first five monasteries established by Franciscan, Dominican and Augustinian friars, and one of three still standing. The other two are already inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Tlaxcala ensemble of buildings provides an example of the architectural model and spatial solutions developed in response to a new cultural context, which integrated local elements to create spaces such as wide atria, and capilla posa chapels. The edifice presents two other particular features, a free-standing tower and a wooden mudéjar not found in the other monasteries already inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the serial property. It contributes to a better understanding of the development of a new architectural model that influenced both urban development and monastic buildings until the 18th century.

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. They also represent an example of a new architectural concept in which open spaces are of renewed importance. The influence of this style is felt throughout the Mexican territory and even beyond its borders." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

There are 11 monasteries in Morelos: San Mateo Apostol in Atlatlahucan,
Asuncion in Cuernavaca (current Cathedral), Santo Domingo de Guzman in Hueyapan,
Santiago Apostol in Ocuituco, Santo Domingo in Oaxtepec, La Natividad or la Anunciaciòn in Tepoztlàn, Santo Domingo de Guzman in Tetela del Volcàn,
San Juan Bautista in Tlayacapan, San Guillermo Abad in Totolapan, San Juan Bautista in Yecapixtla, Immaculada Concepciòn in Zacualpan de Amilpas

There are 3 monasteries in Puebla: San Francisco de Asís in San Andrés Capan,
San Miguel Arcángel in Huejotzingo, Asunción de Nuestra Señora in Tochimilco

Postcard 1

A nice map of Morelos. If you look at the north and north east section of the Morelos map, you can see the locations of Popotepel volcano and five of the 11 monastery towns, namely Cuernavaca, Oaxtepec, Tepoztlàn, Tetela del Volcàn, Tlayacapan. Thanks to Louis of USA who received this postcard from Cuernavaca, Mexico.

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Franciscan Ensemble of the Monastery and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Tlaxcala. It is a  2021 extension of Earliest 16th  Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl. Thanks to Gabino of Mexico. Arrived on April 26, 2022. 

Mexico - Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino

"Located in the central part of the peninsula of Baja California, the sanctuary contains some exceptionally interesting ecosystems. The coastal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are important reproduction and wintering sites for the grey whale, harbour seal, California sea lion, northern elephant-seal and blue whale. The lagoons are also home to four species of the endangered marine turtle." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Map of Baja California where you can see the location of El Vizcaino on the central western part of the peninsula. Thanks to Marco of Austria who bought this postcard in Mexico.

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Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino - another UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Gabino of Mexico. Arrived in Penang on April 26, 2022.

Mexico - Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca

"This property lies on the northern slopes of the Tlacolula valley in subtropical central Oaxaca and consists of two pre-Hispanic archaeological complexes and a series of pre-historic caves and rock shelters. Some of these shelters provide archaeological and rock-art evidence for the progress of nomadic hunter-gathers to incipient farmers. Ten thousand-year-old Cucurbitaceae seeds in one cave, Guilá Naquitz, are considered to be the earliest known evidence of domesticated plants in the continent, while corn cob fragments from the same cave are said to be the earliest documented evidence for the domestication of maize. The cultural landscape of the Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla demonstrates the link between man and nature that gave origin to the domestication of plants in North America, thus allowing the rise of Mesoamerican civilizations." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Gabino of Mexico. Arrived on April 26, 2022.

Mexico - Aquaduct Padre Tembleque

"This 16th century aqueduct is located between the states of Mexico and Hidalgo, on the Central Mexican Plateau. This heritage canal system encompasses a water catchment area, springs, canals, distribution tanks and arcaded aqueduct bridges. The site incorporates the highest single-level arcade ever built in an aqueduct. Initiated by the Franciscan friar, Padre Tembleque, and built with support from the local indigenous communities, this hydraulic system is an example of the exchange of influences between the European tradition of Roman hydraulics and traditional Mesoamerican construction techniques, including the use of adobe."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Aquaduct Padre Tembleque - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Gabino of Mexico. Arrived on April 26, 2022.

Mexico: Archipiélago de Revillagigedo (2016 Inscribed)

"Located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, this archipelago is made up of four remote islands and their surrounding waters: San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partida and Clarión. This archipelago is part of a submerged mountain range, with the four islands representing the peaks of volcanoes emerging above sea level. The islands provide critical habitat for a range of wildlife and are of particular importance for seabirds. The surrounding waters have a remarkable abundance of large pelagic species, such as manta rays, whales, dolphins and sharks."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Gabino of Mexico. Received on April 26, 2022.

Mexico - Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara

"The Hospicio Cabañas was built at the beginning of the 19th century to provide care and shelter for the disadvantaged – orphans, old people, the handicapped and chronic invalids. This remarkable complex, which incorporates several unusual features designed specifically to meet the needs of its occupants, was unique for its time. It is also notable for the harmonious relationship between the open and built spaces, the simplicity of its design, and its size. In the early 20th century, the chapel was decorated with a superb series of murals, now considered some of the masterpieces of Mexican art. They are the work of José Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the period." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Hospicio Cabanas is now housing Institute Cultural Canabas. Thanks to YL for mailing this postcard from Guadalajara, Mexico.

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"Man of Fire" by Jose Clemente Orozco at the center part of the Cupula of Hospicio Cabanas. Thanks to Nan of USA who visited Mexico.

Postcard 3

Day view. It is now Instituto Cultural Cabanas. Thanks to David of USA.




Postcard 4
Night view of the Cabanas which was built in Neoclassic style and inaugurated in 1810. Thanks to Liliana of USA.

Postcard 5

Reflection of Hospiciao Cabanas which now houses the Cabanas Cultural Institute. Thanks to Gabino of Gaudalajara, Mexico. Mailed on July 8, 2019 and arrived in Penang on September 18, 2019.

Mexico - Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California

"The site comprises 244 islands, islets and coastal areas that are located in the Gulf of California in north-eastern Mexico. The Sea of Cortez and its islands have been called a natural laboratory for the investigation of speciation. Moreover, almost all major oceanographic processes occurring in the planet’s oceans are present in the property, giving it extraordinary importance for study. The site is one of striking natural beauty in a dramatic setting formed by rugged islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches, which contrast with the brilliant reflection from the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters. It is home to 695 vascular plant species, more than in any marine and insular property on the World Heritage List. Equally exceptional is the number of fish species: 891, 90 of them endemic. The site, moreover, contains 39% of the world’s total number of species of marine mammals and a third of the world’s marine cetacean species." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Bahia Balandra or Bay of Balandra, La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. Thanks to Lando of Mexico.

Postcard 2

Cabo San Lucas, located at the tip of Baja California. Thanks to Marco of Austria who bought this postcard in Mexico.

Postcard 3

Multi-view of Los Cabos with whales. Thanks to Steph of Mexico.

Mexico - Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza

"This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol. " 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Chichen-Itza was voted as one of the seven new wonders in the world. During the equinox, display of light and shadow made an appearance of a serpent descending down the stairs from the top.

Two great postcards of Chichen-Itza - thanks to Grete of UK who visited here.

Postcard 1 - Chacmool, Temple of Warriors

Postcard 2 - Chacmool and Jaguar inside Kukulkan Pyramid

Postcard 3

Nice postcard using $14.50 stamp. Thanks to CG of Mexico City.

Postcard 4

Chacmool and Kukulkan Pyramid with sunset. Thanks to Rafal of Germany who visited Yucatan, Mexico.

Postcard 5

Aerial view of the archaelogical zone of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Thanks to Ischa of United Kingdom for mailing from Mexico on August 16, 2018 and arrived in Penang island on December 26, 2018 -  the postcard took a long time to travel but arrived safely.

Mexico - Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan

"The holy city of Teotihuacan ('the place where the gods were created') is situated some 50 km north-east of Mexico City. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D., it is characterized by the vast size of its monuments – in particular, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. As one of the most powerful cultural centres in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan extended its cultural and artistic influence throughout the region, and even beyond." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage


Postcard 1
Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, Mexico. Thanks to CG of Mexico City.

Postcard 2

Thanks to CG for mailing from Mexico City. Mailed in March 2018 and arrived on in July 2, 2018.

Postcard 3

Postcard 4

Postcard 5

Teotihuacan at night. Thanks to CG for getting this postcard.