La Maquina Del Tiempo

Angeles, Puerto Rico
November 25, 2012

Dear family:
I reached the year 2012. I am very amazed of what I see. There are a lot of Roman influenced structures here in this time. I would like todescribe at least two of them to you. The first one is called the Jose de Diego Building. It is located in the University of Puerto Rico campus, Mayaguez. It was built in 1913 with an Spanish Revivalarchitectural style. In 1977 it was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is also known as Rectoria. Its constructive aesthetics present a great eclecticism and its entrance showsa great facade. Follow the steps of the central staircase stand two columns- “distilo” smooth shaft and reduced entasis, with its pedestal, “basa”, toscano- romano capital marked “astragalo”. Inthe middle section rises the Tower surrounded by balustrades and four campaniformes pinnacles below of the cantilever roof supported by plates; inside lies the “Carillon” service, with external exitsto their respective clocks. The turrets center highlights a “chapitelillo” tip. The structure has many openings made at a time in which there was no air conditioning to let air circulate the wholebuilding.
The second building that caught my attention was the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, one of the most beautiful buildings and historically significant. It was inaugurated in 1908 with neo-Gothicinfluence with stunning and rare architectural quality. The details: towers, gargoyles and stained glass rose windows, make the chapel a unique building. The church draws much attention for itsarchitectural features, especially for its gargoyles, which give an air of mystery and elegance. In the main facade a Celtic cross serves as a pinnacle. The interior is simple and impose the presence ofthe stained glass and wood finishes. A stained glass Jesus and the Children cover most of the back of the chapel. For its architectural design, the Chapel was listed on the National Register of...