Geographical and Quantitative Analysis of Neo-Gothic Architecture in Mexico
摘要
This chapter offers a comprehensive geographical and statistical overview of Neo-Gothic architecture in Mexico, based on over fifteen years of systematic fieldwork, archival research, and digital documentation. It presents the first extensive cartographic analysis of the style’s national distribution, differentiating between building typologies—mainly religious but also including civil examples—and identifying regional concentrations. The data reveal that the Neo-Gothic style was not limited to major urban centers like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, but also permeated smaller towns and rural areas, where its presence became a marker of Catholic identity and communal pride. The chapter examines the temporal dimension of this architectural expansion, with a particular focus on the Porfiriato period (1876–1910), during which the style reached its peak in visibility and symbolic significance. Special attention is given to spatial diffusion patterns and the socio-religious networks that enabled the construction of more than 500 structures featuring Neo-Gothic elements. By integrating cartography, architectural typology, and historical periodization, the chapter underscores the strategic use of Neo-Gothic as a spatial instrument for religious and cultural influence throughout the national territory.