Wadi al-Hijarah

GDL, originally uploaded by fritztroid.

Mexico's "Second City" in terms of population and business activity is Guadalajara. It takes its name from the city in Spain located in Castile-La Mancha. The literal translation of Guadalajara is "River of Stones" from the Arabic phrase: Wadi al-Hijarah.

Spanish Guadalajara was occupied by the Roman empire, however, all physical evidence of their presence has vanished. As the Islamic caliphate spread across the Iberian peninsula it established hundreds of new settlements. An "alcazar" or fortress was built at Guadalajara, and some of its ruins remain. Even though Islamic settlers did not found Mexican Guadalajara, the name is still rooted in Arabic.

This picture shows the Hospicio Cabañas, a hospital for orphans, elderly, handicapped, and chronically ill people. Built in the early 1800s it is a massive and simple building. It is home to several works by Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco. UNESCO has designated it a cultural World Heritage Landmark.