After four days of class, we were given the privilege of taking a walking tour of Cuernavaca which included the Cathedral, Palacios and the Robert Brady house. Our tour guide, Arturo, was very knowledgeable in all aspects of this tour. We met in front of the Marco Polo restaurant, and walked in the cathedral compound. A lot of the history of Cuernavaca involves the conquistador, Hernan Cortes. The Spaniards, when they set out to conquer Mexico, built their Catholic Cathedrals on top of the temples the indigenous peoples had built over the ages. It was a way to discourage the practices of the native people and to convert them to Catholicism. This compound existed of two small churches and the larger cathedral and ex-convent.
Arturo Hernandez Martinez, was also trained by the International Guide Academy, and if you ever go to Cuernavaca, I recommend him as your tour guide. He not only provided the commentary for this walking tour, but he also accompanied us to Xochicalco and is very knowledgeable in the history and etchings at this fabulous Mayan archaeological site.
I found this statue of St. Christopher looking up at the baby Jesus beautiful. St. Christopher is known as the "bringer of Christ" to the new world.
The Altar's in these cathedrals are gold leave and very ornate. Although this church is not as "ornate" as the cathedral in Taxco, it is still very impressive and colonial.
After this stop we went to the Robert Brady house, which is in exactly the same condition it was in when Mr. Brady was alive. The house itself is an old XVI century Franciscan Convent. The house is an eclectic collection that was assembled by Robert Brady (1928 - 1986) during his world travels. He has original works of art from such famous artists as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. He also has an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art and African Masks. 
Robert Brady was quite eccentric and our guide, Sergio, was very well versed in his history and life. In Mr. Brady's bedroom, are a set of mirrors strategically placed so that when he was looking in one mirror, he could see his backside, and if he turned his head to the right, he could see his profile. He wore silk kaftan's on a daily basis and they were quite luxurious. This museum is a must see while you are in Cuernavaca.
Our next stop was the Palacios de Cortes, the oldest non-religious building still standing in Mexico today. In fact, the building appears to be built on a pre-Columbian temple, based o
n the stones found at the site, including the famed Peidra del Legarto. But the most famous part of the museum is the 1930 mural on the second floor, painted by Diego Rivera with the help of Frida Kahlo.
n the stones found at the site, including the famed Peidra del Legarto. But the most famous part of the museum is the 1930 mural on the second floor, painted by Diego Rivera with the help of Frida Kahlo. 
