Chapala’s emblematic faro (lighthouse) is looking spiffy following recent renovation work. Local artist Miguel Mora spent several weeks retouching the series of small frescos depicting important episodes in lakeside history that embellish the interior of the structure. He also designed the decorative iron work that has been installed to protect the artwork from vandalism.
Mora painted the original frescos that adorn the ceiling frieze back in 2007. The seven small panels show the arrival of indigenous tribes in the pre-Hispanic era, the 16th century evangelization of the native population by Franciscan friars, the defense of Mezcala Island during the Independence movement, three scenes of Chapala during its golden era, and a religious pilgrimage during Lake Chapala’s 2001 drought. Portraits of illustrious people from those epochs appear between the panels. Chapalac, the Indian cacique created with founding Chapala, is portrayed on the central column.
The artist qualifies the faro as a distinctive point of reference which not only serves its practical purpose as a beacon for all who sail Lake Chapala’s waters, but also as a small on-site museum of interest to tourists and residents.
Mora, a specialist in the restoration and recreation of sacred art, is also the author of other works with an historic twist that are or have been on public display in Chapala’s downtown area.
Esperanza, a poetic monument to hope, stands in the median strip at the south end of Avenida Madero. A series of plaques with topographical symbols representing the names of lakeshore municipalities derived from native tongues are installed along the sidewalk on Ramon Corona outside the Cazadores restaurant.
A number of years ago Mora designed a coat-of-arms for each of Chapala’s outlying villages. The framed original artwork that once graced the city hall foyer has apparently been squirreled away in some government office. He later reproduced the emblems for plaques that were mounted in the median strip along the main avenue, but those too eventually disappeared.
Mora also helped create the Paseo de las Personalidades, contributing four of the seven tile mosaics dedicated to persons of local fame that were embedded in the sidewalk outside the city hall building. Those were removed and put into storage when the walkways were replaced several years ago.
Mora hopes he will gradually oversee the restoration of all the municipality’s artistic legacy that has deteriorated or gone missing over the years. For now he is satisfied that the faro has been refurbished, an accomplishment that will be recognized with a modest re-inauguration ceremony to be celebrated during the July 21 Tequila Festival kickoff.