Conservation Project of La Capilla Real o de Naturales
Particularly in the last forty years the tendency for intervention in historical centers is focused on
the value of heritage, for economic purposes. The aim is to transform the ancient city into a salable
object. Beyond this narrow perspective and in many destructive cases, there are practices that without
claiming as a priority the conservation of historical buildings and spaces, manage to keep alive the
traditions associated with them (intangible heritage) despite the economic costs involved. In these
cases the earnings do not have the sign of pesos, instead they translate into “opening the doors of heaven”, bringing together the community and even achieving personal relevance; what has been called
a “prestigious economy.”
San Pedro Cholula is an interesting example in this regard. The community neighborhood structure of
positions and functions, established for the celebration of religious festivals, is a deeply rooted institution.
Stewardship (as it is commonly called) from the Colony, maintaining strong pre-Hispanic roots, managing
to keep in good condition its material heritage of which it is custodian, also keeps alive the intangible
legacy of its traditions based on the integration of society. It is important to recognize the value of this
system in terms of a socially oriented heritage conservation.
