Magdalena de Kino - Page 2 - Beyond The Guardrail's Photos- powered by SmugMug

Magdalena de Kino is a favorite on our route to and from Mexico. It is situated about 65 miles south of the US/Mexican border crossing at Nogales, in Sonora State. For a small town, there is much to see and do here, and we enjoy our restful stays.

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Beyond The Guardrail > Thus began a career in the Pimería Alta that lasted until his death in 1711. An indefatigable traveller and worker, Kino started mission programs at twenty villages. He introduced Christianity and the Spanish Empire to what is now a wide area of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. He also introduced wheat and beef cattle into the region. Over three centuries after Kino's arrival, the regional Mexican and Native diet is still strongly based on beef, cheese, and wheat products.

Beyond The Guardrail > Kino labored in the Pimería Alta until March, 1711, when he arrived in Magdalena to dedicate a new chapel to St. Francis, his patron saint. He fell suddenly ill and died near midnight on March 15, 1711. He was buried beneath the floor of the chapel he had come to dedicate. His bones were rediscovered in 1966, long after the chapel had disappeared from the scene. They are currently on display in their final resting place in the Magdalena plaza.

Beyond The Guardrail > Magdalena's Plazuela is probably one of the largest we've ever visited, and while it's not entirely landscaped, it's a wonderfully peaceful place for a stroll or to rest and watch the world go by.

Beyond The Guardrail > Magdalena's Plazuela is built on two levels, the upper level, with landscaping and trees being the perimeter, and the lower level which is all cement. Rather than a kiosko (gazebo) as is found in all other Plazuelas we've visited, Magdalena's has a central fountain instead. Though it was being worked on while we've been to Magdalena, we can only imagine how beautiful it could be with water gushing overhead, and how friendly the plazuela would be filled with families and stroling couples after Sunday Mass.

Beyond The Guardrail > Ah, so quiet today, but just imagine the plazuela filled with children of all sizes and ages... In the close distance we see Padre Kino's mausoleum, and, behind that, in the far distance, a row of the shops that surround Magdalena's Plazuela.

Beyond The Guardrail > Up close, in a courtyard off of the Plazuela, a row of shops. Through the arches to the left, you can barely see the Plazuela, though it's only a few steps away. I am standing with my back to the other shops around this courtyard...

Beyond The Guardrail > The center of Magdalena de Kino is characterized by early 20th century "pueblo style" architecture with many streets that are still paved with cobblestones. The condition of the buildings are surprisingly good and many house businesses serve as homes

Beyond The Guardrail > Early morning, and all is quiet... Magdalena de Kino's main plazuela is surrounded on three sides by commercial buildings, each fronted by this lovely, wide portico.... where those shopping and dining can enjoy going about their business out of the direct sun of the Sonoran Desert.

Beyond The Guardrail > One by one, businesses open and set up for the day's trade. This display is of hammocks and weavings, all hand made creations.

Thus began a career in the Pimería Alta that lasted until his death in 1711. An indefatigable traveller and worker, Kino started mission programs at twenty villages. He introduced Christianity and the Spanish Empire to what is now a wide area of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. He also introduced wheat and beef cattle into the region. Over three centuries after Kino's arrival, the regional Mexican and Native diet is still strongly based on beef, cheese, and wheat products.