LA PILA
The fountain or pilona of Chiapa de Corzo is considered one of the most important artistic monuments not only in Mexico, but in the Americas. It is the first fountain laid out in Chiapas, and the only Mudéjar-style building made of brick in the entire state.
In order to make their dominion over the Chiapa people more evident, the Spanish decided to erect a monumental fountain, where the people would need to go to fetch water every day. As will be seen, the fountain was built to symbolically represent the crown of King Charles I of Spain and V of Germany.
Its style is a mix of Baroque and Mudéjar. The bricks arranged in the shape of a pointed pyramid simulate the gemstones of the Royal Crown. The little tower on the eastern side, joined to the body of the monument by an arch, simulates the handle or grip of the crown.
This monumental fountain, named LA PILA and built in 1562 by the Dominican friar of Portuguese origin Rodrigo de León, is, according to historians and archaeologists, unique in Latin America.
Inside the arcade, inserted in the pillars of the arches, there are mosaic plaques with inscriptions about the construction of the monument; these plaques were placed in the early nineteen-forties
In order to make their dominion over the Chiapa people more evident, the Spanish decided to erect a monumental fountain, where the people would need to go to fetch water every day. As will be seen, the fountain was built to symbolically represent the crown of King Charles I of Spain and V of Germany.
Its style is a mix of Baroque and Mudéjar. The bricks arranged in the shape of a pointed pyramid simulate the gemstones of the Royal Crown. The little tower on the eastern side, joined to the body of the monument by an arch, simulates the handle or grip of the crown.
This monumental fountain, named LA PILA and built in 1562 by the Dominican friar of Portuguese origin Rodrigo de León, is, according to historians and archaeologists, unique in Latin America.
Inside the arcade, inserted in the pillars of the arches, there are mosaic plaques with inscriptions about the construction of the monument; these plaques were placed in the early nineteen-forties
