Casa Zuno in Guadalajara feels like a quiet guardian of time—its deep red tezontle stone glowing under the sun, holding layers of Mexico’s story in its walls. With graceful arches and intricate details, it’s a place where colonial elegance meets indigenous strength.
This was the home of José Guadalupe Zuno Hernández, former governor of Jalisco and founder of the modern University of Guadalajara. Designed by engineer Arnulfo Villaseñor and inspired by artists like Siqueiros and Dr. Atl, the house reflects a bold neoregionalist style—one that celebrates Mexican identity with every curve and carving.
Inside, cedar woodwork and murals pulse with purpose. You can feel the presence of ideals—social justice, cultural pride, revolution. Zuno didn’t just build a home; he created a statement.
In 1974, he and his wife Carmen Arce gifted the house to the University of Guadalajara. Since 1993, it’s held the university’s Historical Archive, with over 500,000 documents and letters from figures like Diego Rivera and Lázaro Cárdenas.
Casa Zuno isn’t just one of the most beautiful buildings in Guadalajara—it’s a living archive, where the past breathes through stone, wood, and word.
Calle José Guadalupe Zuno Hernández 2083, Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
This photo was taken in March of 2021, during a visit to Guadalajara. We were walking through the tree-lined streets of Colonia Americana when we turned a corner and found ourselves in front of Casa Zuno. Its crimson stone and graceful arches stopped us in our tracks—a building that felt less like a structure and more like a story, standing tall and quiet beneath the afternoon light.
If places like this stir your curiosity, I invite you to explore more of Guadalajara and other Mexican colonial towns. From the cobbled alleys of Guanajuato to the sunlit courtyards of San Miguel de Allende, these cities are full of architectural poetry, rich history, and everyday moments that linger long after you’ve left. Let your steps lead you into stories.
