A Legacy in Stone and Steel: The Milarca Museum and the Rise of San Pedro Garza García
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In a privileged Monterrey Park,surrounded by brilliant skyscrapers and not far from the center,since 2023 the museum La Milarca,a majestic space of almost 3,000 square meters has exhibited one of the most breathtaking private art collections in the world.
Colonial in style, with tiles and large wooden and stone arches, the museum houses pieces such as a sword of Hernán Cortés, a self-portrait of Frida Kahlo, and a fossil 200 million years old. Its Gothic and Renaissance roofs are three centuries old, purchased in Europe, dismantled piece by piece, and then reinstalled in Mexico’s most thriving city.
All this is thanks to the charismatic and controversial Mauricio Fernández Garza, the collector, “El Acalde,” the heir – one of the most powerful men in Mexico, who died this week at age 75, and whose history illustrates much of the municipality he ruled, the famous San Pedro Garza García.
the Milarca, at the eastern end of San Pedro, materializes Fernández’s legacy not only through his millionaire collection, which he gifted to the state of Nuevo león, but because it is an exact replica of the mansion where he lived for decades in the wooded hills of the municipality.
But, as Melissa Denis, Secretary of Culture of the Government, explained, the Milarca illustrates the model with which this municipality, this city, this state, and this society became the richest in Mexico.
“The Milarca concretes the spirit of collaboration, of strength, of teamwork that has always been in Nuevo León between the private initiative and the public sector,” says the official. “It is part of our identity, it is part of what has made all our great economic and social development possible.”
Even if,as many alleged at the time,Milarca is more a personal whim than a policy of public interest,its existence – its magnitude and value – is proof of what can happen in what is the richest municipality in Latin America.
“The Promised Land”
From the beginning, San Pedro conceived itself as “the promised land,” an oasis of abundance, prosperity, and security in the middle of Mexican and metropolitan chaos.
Today, it boasts numbers that allow it to live up to the name: a GDP per capita of US $107,000, five times the national average, and 70% of its adults possessing a university degree – triple that of the rest of Mexico.
In the 1950s, when Mauricio Fernández was a child, this was a collection of large agricultural and livestock farms, until industrialization, promoted by the Fundidora monterrey Acerera and then by the Cuauhtémoc brewery, demanded the development of a residential neighborhood for engineers and executives who moved to the area.
In a short time, the municipality grew to its current population of 130,000 inhabitants.
In the 1990s, with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Canada, Monterrey transformed from a medium industrial city into the nucleus of an economic boom driven by the free market and globalization. Peopel from all over the country arrived. Companies from all over the world arrived.
And the heirs of the Regiomontano power – as the natives of the Metropolitan Zone of Monterrey are known – invested or sold their land, bought art, traveled, and mingled with the world’s elite. They founded clubs, business chambers, and social magazines.
THE “OTHER” SAN PEDRO
In the northwest of the municipality, in the skirts of another of the hills that surround Monterrey, are the least rich colonies of San Pedro.
The difference with the other section of the municipality is notable: there are no luxury cars, or boutiques, no yoga studies.
But there is no poverty either: most people have access to higher education,all basic services work and there are open parks where people run on Tartán track and participate in the mayor’s programs.
According to official figures, 5.5% of sampetrinos are poor. Extreme poverty is practically eradicated. They are figures such as those reported by Switzerland or Norway.
And in security San Pedro also has developed country numbers: although there was a small rebound, in 2024 5 homicides were reported per 100,000 inhabitants. Only 10% of sampetrinos feel insecure, according to surveys, a fifth that the rest of Mexicans.
The Mayor’s Office of Fernández Garza – who suffered three attacks and several crises of violence – launched a controversial delation system for payment and set up a civil police trained by Israeli called rudo Group, today extinct.
“If you come to commit crimes, in San Pedro it is going wrong,” Fernández said in the documentary “The Mayor”, directed by Diego Osorno. “I have many mechanisms to do badly if goods to do something improper,” he added.
Nuevo León is not immune to the situation of insecurity and violence in Mexico. The Northeast, Sinaloa and the Gulf posters have had a presence here, and have deputy among them a key square that is a corridor to the north. Money laundering, as in all the wealthy Mexico, has proliferated
San Pedro can feel the exception to all that, as in a few places in Mexico there is such a clear sense of security. But the municipality,like everyone else,has been a victim and focus of the war against the narco.
“San Pedro, thanks to his services, his universities and his hospit
San Pedro Garza García, a municipality within Monterrey, Mexico, is known for its strong sense of community and citizen engagement. However, this civic pride is coupled with a distinct characteristic known as ombliguism – a tendency to view the world primarily through the lens of San Pedro itself, even for those with extensive international experience. This insular perspective is powerfully reflected in the enduring popularity of “Cindy La Regia,” a fictional character who embodies both the aspirations and the contradictions of the city’s elite.
The Culture of San Pedro: Beyond Affluence
San Pedro is often associated with wealth and modernity. Its residents frequently travel and may own properties in international destinations, yet their cultural and social center remains firmly rooted in their hometown. This isn’t necessarily a negative trait, but it contributes to a unique social dynamic. As Ricardo Cucamonga, the creator of Cindy La Regia, observes, this closed society, while frequently enough well-intentioned, can inadvertently perpetuate social discrimination, racism, and classism.
The emphasis on community is strong, with a prevailing sentiment that “we all have to be part of the community.” However, this inclusivity can be selective, as highlighted by Cyndi herself (the character), who states, “not everyone fit in San Pedro.” This suggests a subtle, yet present, social hierarchy.
“Cindy La Regia”: A Mirror to Sampetrino Society
Cindy La Regia,initially a comic strip character created by Sonoran artist Ricardo Cucamonga,has evolved into a cultural icon,gaining further recognition through a film and a Netflix series. She is depicted as a blonde, elegant, and young woman who embodies the stereotypical Sampetrino: egocentric, elitist, and somewhat superficial.
Her speech is characterized by Spanglish and frequent use of the word “guy,” and she is preoccupied with finding a suitable husband and keeping up with the latest trends. Beneath this polished exterior, however, lies insecurity and a fragile sense of perfection.
Cucamonga himself explained the character’s success lies in her ability to expose the nuances of a “closed society, very pink, everything is rose,” that, despite good intentions, can fall into discriminatory practices. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/20231124-cindy-la-regia-san-pedro-garza-garcia-mexico-cultura-netflix-rr
The Socioeconomic Context of San Pedro
San Pedro garza García consistently ranks as one of the wealthiest municipalities in Mexico. Its high socioeconomic status contributes to the distinct social environment described above. the municipality’s economic strength is driven by industries like commerce, services, and real estate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pedro_Garza_Garc%C3%ADa
This concentration of wealth can create social barriers and reinforce existing inequalities, as suggested by the observations surrounding Cindy La Regia. The character serves as a satirical commentary on the privileges and limitations of life within this affluent community.
The enduring appeal of Cindy La Regia suggests a continuing fascination with the complexities of San Pedro’s social identity. as the city continues to evolve, addressing issues of inclusivity and challenging ingrained biases will be crucial. Recognizing and understanding the dynamics of ombliguism – the tendency to focus inward – is a key step towards fostering a more open and equitable community for all its residents.