Neo-Gothic and Novogothic in the Religious Architecture of Zacatecas
摘要
Focusing on the state of Zacatecas, this chapter explores the evolution and local reinterpretation of Neo-Gothic architecture, distinguishing between traditional Neo-Gothic and what the author terms “Novogothic”—a late twentieth-century variant rooted in regional identity. Through analysis of numerous churches and chapels built from the Porfiriato to the 1950s, the chapter identifies key architectural features, stylistic adaptations, and building agents, including the prominent master builder Dámaso Muñetón. Special attention is given to the Temple of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fátima, constructed with regional pink stone and representing a synthesis of formal Gothic references and local materials. The chapter underscores how Zacatecas’ Neo-Gothic architecture reflects not only ecclesiastical intentions but also regional aspirations, civic pride, and artisanal traditions. By mapping stylistic continuities and innovations, the text proposes that Neo-Gothic in Zacatecas became a visual language of permanence and spiritual authority, integrating into the geography and cultural memory of the region.