Martín Casillas facts for kids
Martín Casillas (born 1556, died 1618) was a Spanish architect. He is most famous for designing the beautiful Guadalajara Cathedral in Jalisco, Mexico.
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Who Was Martín Casillas?
Martín Casillas was a skilled architect, sometimes called an "alarife" in his time. This word meant a master builder or architect. He was born in Spain, though people are not sure if he came from Almendralejo or Trujillo (Cáceres). Both towns are in a region of Spain called Extremadura.
His Early Training and Journey
Martín Casillas started his training with another well-known architect named Francisco Becerra. Martín came to New Spain (which is now Mexico) in 1573. He arrived as an apprentice, learning from his master. Some people think he might have come a bit later with Alonso Pablos, another person from his workshop.
Important Buildings He Worked On
Martín Casillas worked on some very important buildings in Mexico.
Mexico City Cathedral Work
From his arrival until at least 1585, Martín worked on the Mexico_City_Metropolitan_Cathedral. This huge church was being built under the direction of Claudio de Arciniega. Martín helped with parts of the main pillars inside the cathedral.
Designing Guadalajara Cathedral
After his work in Mexico City, Martín Casillas moved to the city of Guadalajara. There, he became the main designer for the Guadalajara Cathedral. This grand building is one of his most famous works. Records also show he worked on other projects in the Jalisco region, including land transfers in the Valle de Guadalupe, Jalisco.
Martín Casillas's Legacy
Martín Casillas's work left a lasting mark on Mexican architecture. To honor his memory, a theater in Guadalajara was named after him. It is called the "Alarife Martin Casillas" theater.
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