An exhibition of Playmobil figures illustrating the history of Jalisco will be up at Guadalajara’s Museo Panteón de Belén (cemetery) through September 30. In addition to the colorful figures, the exhibit features famous local monuments, public spaces and archaeological zones.
Playmobil is a German line of toys that was invented in 1974. The toys are 7.5 cm tall human figures with a smiling face and various accessories, buildings and vehicles. They are designed to stimulate children’s imagination and creativity.
Guadalajara’s oldest cemetery, the Panteón de Belen at first served as the burial ground for deceased patients from the old civil hospital. In 1786, work began to transform the site into a proper cemetery. The project was finally completed in 1844 by Manuel Gomez Ibarra, the same architect who also designed the city’s iconic Metropolitan Cathedral towers. The plot was divided into two areas in which the souls of the wealthy and the poor resided apart, as in life.
Unlike in larger cemeteries such as Mezquitan, few people come to Belen to leave offerings for relatives, as the graves here are all nearly 200 years old.
The Panteón de Belén is well worth a visit, even if the Playmobil exhibit is of no interest.
The cost to enter the cemetery is 37 pesos. There is free entry to the Playmobil show only, Tuesday to Saturday, between 4 and 7 p.m.