Mirador Obispado

I got a chuckle when I checked Palousitics last Wednesday and noticed Scotty's post about the flag of Mexico being raised over America.

The night before, I had visited Mirador Obispado (Bishopric Viewpoint), atop Cerro del Obispado (Bishopric Hill) at 775 meters (2543 ft.) above sea level and 237 meters (778 ft) above the surrounding city of Monterrey.

On September 22, 1846, during the Mexican-American War, U.S. Army forces under General (later President) Zachary Taylor stormed up the steep slopes of Cerro del Obispado. They overwhelmed the Mexican garrison at the top and seized the Bishop's Palace.

At Mirador Obispado, there is a bandera monumental (monumental flag), the largest in all Mexico, that commemorates this historical spot. The pole is 100.6 meters (330 ft.) high. The flag is 50 meters (164 ft.) long and 28.6 meters (94 ft.) wide. It was inaugurated on the Día de la Bandera (Flag Day), 24 February 2005.

We went at night. The lights of the metropolitan area of 3 million, extending as far as the eye could see in every direction, were spectaular. I hope to have some pictures posted soon.