Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara
By Kitti and Jon
What is the Hospicio Cabañas?
Hospicio Cabañas was founded at the beginning of the 19th century by Bishop Juan Cruz Ruiz de Cabañas in the city of Guadalajara to provide shelter for the most disadvantaged members of society including orphans, the elderly and those with disabilities. The bishop commissioned architect Manuel Tolsá to design the complex in a Neoclassical style. The large building consists of multiple courtyards, passageways and arcades, which allowed its residents to move around freely.
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Another important feature of the complex is the chapel which, in 1930, was adorned with 57 frescoes by the renowned Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco. Most visitors come to see his famous mural: The Man of Fire (El Hombre de Fuego).
Hospicio Cabañas operated as a hospital until the 20th century. Today, the building is also known as Cabañas Museum and is home to the Cabañas Cultural Institute and the Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Why is the Hospicio Cabañas a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Due to its architectural beauty, as well as its historical and cultural importance, Hospicio Cabañas was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
According to UNESCO, “The Hospicio Cabañas is a unique architectural complex designed to respond to social and economic requirements for housing the sick, the aged, orphans, and the needy with an outstanding solution of great subtlety and humanity.”
In addition, El Hombre de Fuego and the whole group of paintings in the chapel “is considered to be one of the masterpieces of 20th century mural painting and had profound cultural influence beyond the American continent.”
What can you expect on a visit to Hospicio Cabañas?
As we approached Hospicio Cabañas, we were already impressed by the scale of the building, visible from much further away. The façade is supported by six Doric columns and behind them we could admire the tall dome of the main chapel, which is also supported by both Doric and Ionic columns.
After paying the entry fee we were able to walk around some of the courtyards, which are connected by covered passageways. Some courtyards are smaller, with some greenery, statues and fountains in the middle, and some are considerably larger and rather bare. Our admission fee also allowed us to see some of the current exhibitions.
Without a doubt, our favourite area of Hospicio Cabañas was the main chapel. Upon entering the chapel, we could immediately see the incredible frescoes adorning most of the walls. Our first glance up to the dome displaying the famous Man of Fire mural painted by Orozco left us speechless, despite us not knowing much about art. We sat on one of the benches and spent some time admiring all the different murals painted by the artist.
Is Hospicio Cabañas worth visiting?
Visiting Hospicio Cabañas is one of the best things to do in Guadalajara. Since it’s located only a short walk from many other points of interest within the historic centre of Guadalajara, such as Teatro Degollado and Mercado Libertad, one of the largest roofed markets in Mexico, a visit to Hospicio Cabañas can be easily incorporated into your day.
Even if you don’t know much about art, seeing Orozco’s murals in the main chapel is well worth the visit on its own.
See it as part of a walking tour of Guadalajara.
What sorts of travelers would like Hospicio Cabañas?
Guadalajara is the cultural centre of Mexico, with rich history and traditions. There are many cultural events held in the city, such as the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) and Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). Therefore, anyone who is interested in architecture, history, and art would thoroughly enjoy visiting this UNESCO site.
Tips for visiting Hospicio Cabañas
Hospicio Cabañas is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10AM and 5PM but like many museums across Mexico, it is closed on Mondays. The entry fee is well worth it to see Orozco’s impressive murals.
Whilst you can just freely walk around the building, twice a day (at 12:30PM and 15:30PM) between Tuesday and Saturday, and at 13:00 PM on Sundays, you can join an English-speaking tour. If you speak Spanish, or just wish to practice the language, there are more tours available in Spanish throughout the day.
There are many fantastic day trips from the city, including to the Pueblo Magico (“Magical Town”) of Tequila, another UNESCO World Heritage site.
Find accommodations in Guadalajara.
Where is Hospicio Cabañas?
Address: Calle Cabañas No. 8. Colonia Las Fresas. Plaza Tapatía. CP 44360. Guadalajara, Jalisco.
There are multiple ways to reach Hospicio Cabañas:
- Taxi / Uber: Depending on where you’re staying, you can flag down a taxi or call an Uber to reach the UNESCO site. It’s worth noting that the traffic can make a short journey twice as long.
- Public transport: The closest metro stop is San Juan de Dios along Line 2. You’ll need to purchase a travel card to be able to use public transport across the city.
- Walking: Hospicio Cabañas is only a 15-minute walk from Guadalajara’s main square (Plaza de Armas).
For more information about Hospicio Cabañas, its opening hours and admission fees, see its official website.
Have you been to Hospicio Cabañas? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!