 | |
| Location | San José de Gracia,  Aguascalientes |
|---|---|
| Height | 28 meters |
| Completion date | Dedicated June 30, 1928 |
The Broken Christ of the Island is one of the five largest sculptures in Mexico. It is built in the heart of President Calles Dam, in the municipality of San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes, in Mexico. It measures 25 meters and is mounted on a base of 3 meters of ready- mix concrete and reinforced steel giving a total of 28 meters in height.
The image is inspired by the exodus before the catastrophe that the population was subjected to, as well as being a reminder of the sick and oppressed.
History of the Broken Christ
editIts origins go back to the time of the congregation of indigenous Chichimecas who came from the vicinity of Tepatitlán, Jalisco. At that time they fled from the invasions to the kingdom of Michoacán carried out by the Spaniards. They settled in the foothills of the Sierra Fría, in a place that over time would be called Martha, between the years 1673 and 1675. In 1928, due to the construction of the President Calles Dam, the municipal seat was abolished, it was decreed again in 1934 and confirmed as a municipality in 1953.
The small community was made up of sixteen families and subsisted on hunting, fishing, cutting and carving wood. It was headed by the Indian Juan Domínguez. This was made up of men, women and children and their dress was Nahua with a blanket, long hair, they used as a defense weapon the bow and arrow, their homes were made of stone, mud and grass. They were conforming their small society that commonly was called Jacales.
Within the most outstanding historical vestiges of the regional history, are memories of the appointment to the old town like San Joseph in honor of the son of the king Fernando VII (Joseph Villaseñor "Plutarco") in 1862.
At the time of Independence, Cura Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla arrived in this land leaving an indelible mark on this town within the Freedom Route after having been defeated at the Puente de Calderón, on January 19, 1811. He took refuge in the arms of this cozy social niche for five days and then left for the Hacienda de Pabellón de Hidalgo, where he was removed as leader of the Insurgent movement.
In the life of the town an event happened that changed the way of thinking of the inhabitants and that undoubtedly increased the religious devotion in Christianity: the arrival of the Original Lord, the image most loved and venerated by those faithful dwellers. Legend has it that this Christ arrived inside a wooden box on a mule. Said animal after wandering a few days through the streets headed towards the main door of the temple. No muleteer was its owner. Some men saw the animal outside the church put the box to the place. When they uncovered it, they were surprised to see what it contained: a beautiful image of Christ the Redeemer Crucified. They tolled the bells to gather the people, they took him on a pilgrimage, they cheered him with songs, prayers and prayers, they asked for their crops and the blessing for their families.
In 1926 church and government live an open confrontation, the Cristero War. Strong attacks of Generals against religious happened in the mountainous area and in the streets of San José, all this for the struggle of a fair distribution of their lands.
Within this same year, the government of President Plutarco Elías Calles decided to build the first hydraulic work in the country, using communal and ejidal land. The construction lasted approximately one year, beginning on May 30, 1927 and ending on June 30, 1928. This large concrete curtain would make up the First Water Storage Irrigation District for agricultural irrigation of the Aguas Calientes Valley.
But the channel of the Presa would be so great that the small town where the tower of the temple was distinguished in the distance, would be devastated by the levels, this reaching an absolute disappearance.
By 1930 El Pueblo Viejo de San José had been abandoned. However, thanks to the decision of people like Antonio Ventura Medina, Rafael González Guerra and Juan García, among others, to found a new town and with the help of ejidatarios who fought over the land to find a safe place to live, the town He resurfaced as San José de Gracia.
Holy Week
editThe project arises with the need to offer tourists and locals a space dedicated to be part of the customs and religious traditions related to Holy Week in San José de Gracia, a festivity that has identified for generations.
Access
editThe access is only via water: visitors go up to a boat with all the security measures until they reach the island; then you have to climb a staircase, to reach the sanctuary.
On the island where it is located is the Shrine of the Broken Christ, where you can see the different types of scale Christos that are housed in the churches of the state, each with its description and miracles that have been granted.