Spanish: Legend of Beatriz and Fernando in Durango (Mexico)

Hola everyone! Claudia Sadowski here, I have a legend to share with you, I hope you enjoy it!

In many Latin American countries legends are part of their culture. Durango, Mexico is no exception. The legend is about a religious nun who seems to appear in one of the towers of the cathedral located across the main plaza, downtown Durango capital city of the state of Durango, Mexico.

The legend describes a nun named Beatriz. This nun was allegedly placed in a convent, of what nowadays is known as the Cathedral, located in Durango, Durango, Mexico. Her parents belonged to the highest elite of the city, and they were very influential.  Consequently, due to the fact that Beatriz was the only child, her parents opted to send her to the convent.

One day, destiny brought a French soldier named Fernando near Beatriz. They secretly fell in love. Fernando promised Beatriz that he would return and that they were going to escape and get married. He never returned. Nevertheless, Beatriz would look out for him from the top of one of the towers of Cathedral. She died waiting. Until this day, visitors from all over the world are able to see a white shadow that reflects the profile of Beatriz waiting for Fernando.

Below I have included pictures that I took last week while I was visiting Durango, Durango, Mexico. Additionally, you may find a link to a poem of an author named Manuel Lozana Cigarroa who wrote it in order to honor this legend. 

http://www.taringa.net/comunidades/tfantasmas/3803227/leyenda-de-la-monja-de-la-catedral-de-durango(mexico).html

On the above website you will also find a picture they included on that website with the white shadow of the nun circled for your enjoyment.

There are many ways an instructor could use the legend.  We can ask our students if they know of a legend near their places of origin. Students can do research of legends that are of their interest and they can represent them in class by doing reenactments or plays based on the legends they find. In what other ways, as an instructor, can you use this information? 

The above is a side view of Cathedral in Durango, Durango, Mexico.

If you do a close-up, you might be able to see a white shadow of Beatriz located on the left tower.

 I took the above picture from the back of Cathedral in order to offer a better idea of the magnitude of this Cathedral.

 The picture above is taken from the main plaza across the street from Cathedral.

Inside Cathedral.

Other view from inside Cathedral.

 This last picture is taken to show the altar.