The Zocalo/Plaza de la Constitucion
An impressive gigantic concrete area signed with a jumbo flag, the Metro
Zocalo or the Plaza de la Constitucion is reputed to be the second largest city
square in the world after the Red Square in Moscow. This one of the most
exalted historic spots of Mexico is the site where you can find fabulous
specimens of colonial buildings such as the great cathedral, the Palacio
Nacional with the offices of the president, and the city administration, as well
as the awe-inspiring remains of the Aztec temples in the Templo Mayor. It
is an ideal meeting place where visitors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere and
street performances by various groups of dancers and buskers while chilling out
in one of the lined-up cafes all day. This is also a perfect place to
observe the Mexican spirit during the celebration of national holidays.
The Cathedral Metropolitana
Despite the tilt perceptible in recent years as the result of the spungy
subsoil beneath, the majestic beauty of this largest cathedral in Latin America
has not diminised in the least. The stunning exquisiteness of the
Cathedral is the products of incorporated architectural styles of baroque,
plateresque, churrigueresque, and neoclassic. The ornate handiwork of the
central choir as well as the lavishly decorated main altar, the Altar de los
Reyes, will surely propitiate even the most vigorous art critque.
The Chapultepec Park
Once an exclusive summer playground for the Aztec's royal court, today the
Chapultepec Park is home to the presidential resident as well as a score of
lakes, several excellent museums, an amusement park and a zoo. The
world-famous National Anthropology Museum is also located here. The
Chapultepec Park is Mexico's biggest public park and boasts a fine collection of
flora and fountains. An ideal place to escape the boisterous city beat for
some peaceful solitude.
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Stoically guarded by the 200 tons gigantic statue of the water god Tláloc,
the Museo Nacional de Antropologia or the National Anthropology Museum is
regarded as one of the best of its kind in the world. The exhibits range
from the prehistoric until the Mexicas period, and are so vast and extensive
that it requires two days to visit everything thoroughly. The admission is
free on Sunday, and you can listen to musical performances using replicas of
prehistoric instruments.
Paseo de la Reforma
The Reforma Avenue is the longest avenue of Mexico City. Its origin
starts from Chapultepec Park and runs alongside the Torre Mayor, then continues
through the glitzy Zona Rosa to the downtown area close to the Alameda Central
Park. Formerly known as "The Emperor's Avenue" after its
commissioner, the emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg, the avenue was renamed "Reforma
Avenue" in commemoration of the liberal President Benito Juarez. The
Reforma Avenue encompasses stylish venues, embassies, luxury hotels, exclusive
art galleries and spectacular monuments. A definitely good starting point
to explore the city.
Zona Rosa
The Zona Rosa or Pink Zone is a triangular-shaped area unique for having all
of the streets named after famous cities. Its former Parisian aura had
been relented to the dynamic pulse of an upcoming modern city with a thick
commercial bent. As a result, Zona Rosa has come to be synonymous with
"great district in which to shop, dine, view fine galleries, and revel in
the swelling nightlife". Although the district was overgrown that
some shops and bars have relocated to Polanco, it nevertheless offers a good
walk and manages to retain its inherent attractiveness.
Polanco
A next-door neighbor to the Chapultepec Park, Polanco is a robust, thriving
area in which sophisticated hotels, elegant skyscrapers, classy boutiques, fine
restaurants and clubs are concentrated and fashionable people rub shoulders.
Polanco was molded after California during the forties, and has subsequently
blossomed into a bustling business as well as residential district because of
its strategic location. It is easy to spend the whole day just enjoying
yourself and drink in the atmosphere of this part of the city.
Coyoacan
Coyoacan was an Indian village even before the Aztecs came to Mexico, and
was in particular Cortes' base after the fall of Tenochtitlan. Modernity
did not reach this town until the wave of urban sprawl hit it half a century
ago. Coyoacan is notable for being home to famous figures like Frida Kahlo
and Leon Trotsky. Visitors to Coyoacan will find themselves going back in
time as they stroll along the narrow colonial-era strees, regaled by craft
markets and street performers in the plazas, and then rest their feet and enjoy
light snacks in friendly cafes.
San Angel
San Angel is one of Mexico City's most alluring suburbs as its local streets
retain their quaint colonial feel with cobbled streets leading to romantic
plazas. Every Saturday the Bazar Sabado brings a festive atmosphere,
masses of color and crowds of people to San Angel's pretty little plaza San
Jacinto. Ten minutes walk northwest of the plaza is the Diego Rivera &
Frida Kahlo Studio Museum, the 1930s avante garde abode where the famous couple
lived from 1934 to 1940, when they divorced. San Angel is also home to
many excellent restaurants, as well as boutiques offering irresistible displays
of fine handicrafts which line Altavista and La Paz streets.
Xochimilco
About 20km south of downtown Mexico City lies Xochimilco which means 'Place
where Flowers Grow' in Nahuatl. It is known for its canals, which remain
one of Mexico's favorite destinations for recreation and relaxation. After
boarding one of the colorful punts steered by a man with a pole, you'll find
yourself cruising the canals with parties of merrymakers and tourists.
It's especially more fun to go on weekends as the fiestas atmosphere takes over
and the whole district comes alive with the crowd.
Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe
The Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe is certainly a site to include in your
Mexico City trip's itinerary. The shrine is located in the suburb called
Villa Madero which is jst three miles from town. The present church was
completed in 1709 with imperial neoclassic style, and the interior exudes regal
and meditative air with color scheme of dark green and gold. The exuberant
embellishment with gold, bronze and colorful mosaics inside will surely leave
visitors enthralled with the unbelievable beauty of this establishment.
La Villa de Guadalupe
The hill north of the Valley of Mexico is called Tepeyac which means
Nose-hill. The tradition of La Villa de Guadalupe, as it is known,
involves a miracle and an Indian saint as manifested in the apocalyptic fashion
of the Virgin emblazoned in rough cloth, brought to the attention of 16th
century Indians living heir own end of he world. The image then fascinated
Creoles, who multiplied it until it became a national phenomena in the 19th
century. It was the Indian Diego whose vision of Virgin Mary in 1531
started a saga of stories that aided the conversion of millions of Indians to
Catholicism and became a symbol of Mexican people around the world. Today
la Villa de Guadalupe is a place worth visiting regardless of your religious
predilection.
Monumento a la Independencia
This stately monument is an important landmark in Mexico City. The
column itself measures 118 feet and the gilded statue of winged victory which
crowns the top is 22 feet tall. The statues at the column's base represent
law, justice, war and peace as well as various Mexican heroes such as Guerrero,
Morelos, Mina and Bravo.
Monte de Piedad
The great Monte de Piedad is located across the square from the National
Palace. This building has been immensely altered from its original form
which functioned as the first viceregal residence. The old building was
purchased and turned into the national pawnshop in 1775, and its elegant look
certainly deserves a visit.
The Temple of Quetzalcoatl
The magnificent Temple of Quetzalcoatl was built by the people of the Toltec
civilization whose origin dates back to probably the seventh century A.D, long
before the Aztecs moved in. The temple is a state-of-art architecture,
consisting of an enormous 160sq km quadrangular court. Its four main axes
were calculated to perfectly orient toward the four points of the compass.
Although the temple seems to face west, you'll find yourself bedazzled by the
rising sun as you ascend the stairs in the morning.
The Alameda
The Alameda is a charming park, featuring awesome trees and a beautiful rose
garden which is perfect for a leisurely promenade at any given time of day.
The tile-covered benches and the refined marble and gold Monument to Juarez are
the sights to behold as you stroll in the park.
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