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All Mexico Toluca Cosmovitral Botanical Garden

Cosmovitral Botanical Garden

Stained glass windows bathe this botanical garden in cosmic light.

Toluca, Mexico

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Robert Hemedes
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Cosmovitral   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cactus   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
The Sun Man   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
The botanical garden   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
Cosmovitral   rjhemedes / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Housed in a former marketplace in Toluca, Mexico, the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden is filled with stained glass pieces that some say make the beauty of the flora within wither in comparison.  

After the market closed down in the 1970s, the Cosmovitral was repurposed as a botanical garden and outfitted with a number of colossal works of stained glass art in 1980. The botanical garden itself has over 500 species of plants primarily native to Mexico, and there are a number of fountains and bridges scattered throughout the landscape.

These organic surroundings, while breathtaking, are outshone by the huge stained glass murals surrounding the football-field-sized greenhouse. Comprising over 71 individual works, the windows display several themes relating to man and his understanding of the universe. The centerpiece of the collection is a huge central glass wall known as The Sun Man. When the sun shines through the windows, the building is awash in deep reds and warm blues, making the artful garden feel both organic and cosmic.

Related Tags

Botanical Gardens Stained Glass Windows Gardens Flora Plants

Know Before You Go

It's a good idea to visit during the spring Equinox (March 20th-21) for the annual event, when for 20 minutes the sun aligns directly with the "Hombre Sol" producing a spectacular array of colors. There is usually a concert of live classical music that is played accompanying the passing of the sun. This is truly an unmissable event so try to get there if you can.

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Added By

rjhemedes

Edited By

Rachel, Martin, Monsieur Mictlan, Mario Yair TS

  • Rachel
  • Martin
  • Monsieur Mictlan
  • Mario Yair TS

Published

November 10, 2013

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmovitral#The_Cosmovitral
  • http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/gardens/toluca.html
Cosmovitral Botanical Garden
Juárez y Lerdo S/N, Centro
Toluca, 50050
Mexico
19.293575, -99.653732
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Nearby Places

Museo del Alfeñique

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Toluca

Toluca

Mexico

Places 4

Nearby Places

Museo del Alfeñique

Toluca, Mexico

miles away

Manuel M. Villada Museum of Natural History

Toluca, Mexico

miles away

Árbol de Manitas (Little Hands Tree)

Toluca, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Toluca

Toluca

Mexico

Places 4

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