In the middle of the Mexican jungle.
Deep in the middle of the Huasteca Potosina mountain range in Mexico lies a little-known surrealist treasure: Xilitla. Legend tells that an English bastard child by the name of Edward James was the designer of the architecture. He rejected his upper-class surroundings and instead befriended artists that would become household names for the surrealist movement: Dali, Picasso and Stravinsky. When he exiled to Mexico in 1947, according to their website, he bought a property in Xilitla called Las Pozas, and grew an orchid garden there.
Looking at the surreal structures.
Weather changes killed his garden, so he built a surrealist garden instead. Stairs that don’t lead anywhere, snakes, the “Eye of God”, and wavy formations suggest a dream-like experience. The structures are well incorporated in the ecosystem, allowing for natural cascades to flow and the surrounding jungle to grow undisturbed. It’s a castle of sorts, with a style readily familiar to that of Antonio Gaudí.
If you’re looking for a cool, rarely-talked about place to visit in Mexico, Xilitla is just the place. You can camp right outside Las Pozas with friends, or rent a hotel in the city, which is 5 minutes away from the castle. Don’t forget your swimming suit and hiking shoes!
Me and Dany going up the stairs that will lead us down the stairs, M.C. Escher way.
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