Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Theme Day, February, 2011-Fountains

Does the water have to be running to qualify as a fountain?  I don't think so!  This beautiful fountain is in the courtyard of the Melville in the heart of El Centro, Mazatlan, Mexico. If you went to go to  this boutique hotel, this is how it is described on their website:

If you want to savour history to the full in Mazatlán, The Melville is the place to stay. Built in neoclassical style during the 1870´s by Spanish trader Juan Tamés it served as the Telegraph Office in the 19th Century. Later it functioned, for more than 60 years, as a Carmelite nun's school, a period that gave the Melville its monastic appearance. Today it operates as a luxury guest house " A palace for Pesos ." 


Named after Herman Melville, who was in Mazatlan in 1844, the building impresses with its wrought Iron Balcony that goes all around it. Inside, you not only find the best of Mexican decoration, a tribute to local craftsmen, but Peruvian Sacral art as well. Mexico and Peru were the richest Spanish colonial possessions, and had large Carmelite orders. The nuns in Mazatlán had ample contact with their Peruvian Counterparts, and therefore the art collection.
No rooms at the Melville are alike. In one you sit on a majestic deep plush armchair, In another hangs a splendid oil painting. Here you find costly antiques, gleaming mirrors, decrepit trunks and Mexican chandeliers. All of this makes The Melville perhaps Mexico 's loveliest habitable museum.
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In March we'll spend another month in Mazatlan again!  Whoopee!!


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