10 Gorgeous Places To Visit In Mexico City

Mexico’s capital city is often referred to simply as “Mexico” by people living in the country, traditionally called El DFA, referred to as “Mexico, Distrito Federal” although after January 2016 the capital dropped its prestigious “DF” status. Now officially known as La Ciudad de México. The metropolitan area of ​​Mexico’s capital is one of the most populous urban expanses in the world, with an estimated 22 million inhabitants living in an area of ​​750 square kilometers. The Mexican capital is located at an average elevation of 2,250 meters above sea level and visited by two powerful volcanoes. Following are most visited places in Mexico City.

(1) Plaza de la Constitución

The Plaza de la Constitucion is located in the center of the historic center in the first sector of city. This square was the center of Tenochtitlan before the arrival of the Spanish conqueror and remains a political and religious center for centuries afterwards.

Around 1521, the Spanish demolished Mexican constructions and the viceroy or palacio de cortes of the square, formerly Palacio Moctezuma Zocoyotzin. The north wing dedicated to a site for the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Part of the first Aztec Tempo Mayor was located here.

On the west side, several shops established, which gave rise to the Portal de Mercadés and in the southern part stood the Portal de las Flores. Next to this portal was the City Hall Palace, which has since been the seat of city government.

Today it is a major center of the city and an event venue. The Plaza de la Constitución is informally known as Zocalo. Because in 1843, to appreciate Mexico’s independence, Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered the construction of a monument, but it would only be a pillar of independence that remained at the center of the square, which remained for many years.

The word “zócalo” has since become synonymous with the central class. In the center, the huge flag enhances the national spirit. Mexican independence is remembered here every 15 September. It regularly hosts events and demonstrations, some aimed at children, as children have a very special place in Mexico City.

After its entire Hispanic history, It has several official names: Plaza de Armas, Plaza Principal, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza del Palio. Its present name derives from the Viceroy, promulgated in 1813, in honor of the Cádiz Constitution in 1812.

(2) Catedral Metropolitana, Mexico City

The Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the city’s icons, shiny and eye catching as a symbol that reminds us of one culture that dominates another. Built next to the Templo Mayor, this monument holds a certain secret as the city is undergoing ever-evolving changes.

The geographical location of the cathedral has a mystic origin: it built between the lines of paths that would lead to the spiritual center of the Aztec capital, taking into account the four cardinal points. It was the first church in America. It also built with material from pyramids and other religious pre-Columbian sites.

The church has been in constant maintenance, some of them dating back over a century, mainly due to the fact that the ground has risen ten meters under the historic city area, a reminder that it lies atop the extinct lake Is like the rest of the city. There was a tunnel that connects the cathedral to the Templo Mayor.

Below the church are the cries of many archbishops. The most surprising of them is a stone in the center which is used for human sacrifice according to  Aztec Altar. It has the capacity to host up to 56 bells, although it has only 35.

It was home to the Turian Library which was the second to come into existence in our country. There are no fewer than 16 individual chapels inside the Metropolitan Cathedral which are assigned to each religious guild and dedicated to a patron saint.

(3) Museo Nacional de Antropología

The National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City is the largest and most visited in the world. It also houses the most important collections of relics, artifacts, and pre-Columbian art. Furthermore, this enclosure that protects part of Mexican culture and identity presents iconic architecture and design that have been recipients of various international identities.

Therefore, we share everything you need to know about this important museum. During the administration of Adolfo López Matos, Jaime Torres Bodet promoted the opening of museums in 1963. The museum, designed by architects Pedro Ramirez Vezquez, Jorge Campuzano and R. Aphel Mijares El Careca.

One of the reasons for the museum’s success was its minimalist design and references to pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures. The hallmark of this museum is a fountain which is located in the center of the main courtyard. It exposes misconceptions as a factor of national identity, Mexican occupation for peace, and historical phases of the country.

The rooms are three to six meters high to highlight the greatness of pre-Hispanic cultures. The museum features murals by legendary artists such as Leonora Carrington and Rufino Tamayo. The museum’s collection is one of the largest in the world. It includes more than seven million archaeological pieces and more than five million ethnological pieces.

The museum has 24 exhibition halls in chronological order, of which 23 are permanent and one house has temporary exhibitions. Some of the most famous performances include Moctezuma, the Aztec emperor. Other famous pieces are the Kotaluki sculpture, Tula Cuirass, Obsidian Monkey Vessel, Tula Atlantean and Gold Pectoral. Its hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm for the whole year, except Monday.

(4) Bosque de Chapultepec

Bosque de Chapultepec is one of the most important urban forests in the world. 678 hectares organized in three sections, of which we can find gardens, monuments, three artificial lakes and museums. Its official name is the National Museum of History, although known as Castillo de Chapultepec.

Initially it served as a hospice built in honor of Archangel San Miguel, later it was a gunpowder and home to the emperor’s Maximiliano and Carlotta. During the Government of Guadalupe Victoria it became the headquarters of the Military College and the scene of the struggle of the Ninos heroes. It contains 600 works donated by artist Rufino Tamayo.

It currently operates under the administration of the National Institute of Fine Arts. The most famous museum in the entire country and one of the most important museum locations on the continent. It has a cultural complex dedicated to the performing arts with six scenic spots, a room for alternative styles and a plaza for outdoor works.

Located just steps from the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chapultepec Botanical Garden is a respite from Mexico City. It has 400 different species of plants and trees, where people up to 300 years of age live. They also have an orchid garden inside a 500 square meter greenhouse.

It attempts an interrelationship between the four sections to travel uninterrupted by bicycle, wheelchair, or permanent transport. For this reason, three floating roads Work will complete with the construction of the bridge that will cross the Peripheral Ring and Parke Lira Avenue.

Similarly, cultural infrastructure will be expanded and strengthened: this will be possible by integrating spaces that were considered private. The main objective of the master plan for Chapultepec is the creation of new locations with safe and accessible routes.

(5) Palacio Nacional, Mexico City

This beautiful palace had its origins in pre-Hispanic times. The building where it is built right now was the Moctezuma Xocoyotzin Palace. It was unfortunately destroyed during the conquest of Tenochtitlan and a new place built to serve as the residence of Hernán Cortés.

Later in 1562, his son, Martine Cortes sold the beautiful construction crown. This was for new facilities for the administration of the Viceroy of New Spain. The first viceroy to dwell was Louis de Velasco and the last was Juan Odonozu. He arrived in New Spain when Agustin de Iturbide consolidated Mexico’s independence in 1821.

In that year, the palace was handed over to Iturbide, who led the first Mexican Empire. Later, in 1824, Iturbide collapsed and the federal constitution of the United Mexican States signed. In which it has been decided that all the places with the designation of “royal” were replaced by “national” and thus the palace adopted the name by which it is currently known.

After 40 years of fighting, the site designated as the seat of power for the Second Mexican Empire. And upon its fall, the palace became the residence of the President Benito Juarez, who had fallen victim to Angina pectoris at this location.

For decades, the place was home to many historical celebrities such as Santa Ana and Guadalupe Victoria. Currently, this architectural heritage is the seat of federal executive power, holding various functions such as the Rona, military parades, presidential messages and other events including the reception of heads of state.

(6) Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palace of Fine Arts has been the places of the most outstanding artists nationally and internationally. Construction was begun in 1904 by the Italian architect Adamo Bori, 30 years later it was completed. Launched under the name of Museo de Artes Plasticas, it was the first art museum in Mexico.

It was the first cultural site to exhibit artistic objects for contemplation. Its collection included murals by Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco as well as the Mesoamerican Sculpture Room. The building is art nouveau on the outside and art deco on the inside. It has a cafeteria, a bookstore and Time Corner, a place where the Palace’s documentary collection is on display.

In 1947, Cultural promoter Fernando Gamboa and painters Julio Castellanos and Julio Preto revised the project at the National Museum. At the same time, it incorporated an extensive panorama of Mexican art, a large educational program and publications. It promoted national artistic wealth at various levels. By 1968, the Palace’s exhibition hall was Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes.

It was not only the first museum for plastic production, but also undisputed origin of museum system in Mexico. Since then, museums have been in charge of creating the main stage for exhibition for national and international artists. The Museum of Fine Arts currently displays 17 mural works by seven national artists. This work permanently executed between 1928 and 1963, placing an intensive program of temporary exhibitions.

It is the headquarters of the National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, National Opera Company, Chamber Orchestra of Fine Arts. The fireproof curtain with an image of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes weighs 24 tons and commissioned from Tiffany House. The roof has a crystal lamp representing the god Apollo surrounded by the arms of art.

(7) Templo Mayor, Mexico City

Templo Mayor (Great Temple) was one of the main Aztec of temples. It was in his capital, Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. Templo Mayor was topped by twin temples dedicated to the war god Huitzilopochtli and the rain god Tlaloc. It was a focal point of Aztec religion.

The Templo mayor was first built in the reign of Itzcoatl. Then it was renovated by his successor Motchuzhoma I, and again renovated in the reign of Ahuitzotl. These rulers and others, each employed the resources and labor paid in tribute by neighboring states to build more impressive monuments than their predecessors.

The location was chosen with the purpose that the temple was a stone reformation over the original temple, built by the first inhabitants of Tenochtitlan in honor of Huitzilopochtali in Aztec founding legends. As the temple grew, offerings and valuables placed within its broad layers.

The Templo mayor was the most important structure in the center of a large sacred prefix measuring 365 meters (1,200 ft) on each side and surrounded by a wall that, due to snake relief carvings, is known as the Koetpapli or ‘Serpent Wall’.

The temple was actually a 60 m (180 ft) high pyramid platform with two twin temples or shrines to a summit with four levels and two flights of two steps on the western side, the entire structure faced with lime plaster and bright colors. The north (right) side pilgrimage site was dedicated to the god of rain and to the south (left) side Tallalok, which was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war.

(8) Museo Frida Kahlo

Museo Frida Kahlo, also known as the Blue House for the cobalt-blue walls of the structure, is a historic home museum and art museum for the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It is located in the Colonia del Carmen neighborhood of Coyacán in Mexico City. Kahlo also died in 1954 at home at the age of 47.

In 1958, Diego Rivera donated the house and its contents in honor of Frida to convert it into a museum. The museum not only contains world-famous art by Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera, but also contains Mexican folk art, pre-Hispanic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, personal objects and much more. 

With a monthly of about 25,000 visitors, it is one of the most visited museums in Mexico City and the most visited site in Coyoacan. The museum displays the lifestyles of wealthy Mexican bohemian artists and intellectuals during the first half of the 20th century.

According to records and testimony, the house looks much the same today as Mexican folk art in 1951, traditional Mexican cookware, linens, personal mementos, photographs, Postcards and letters, and works by Jose Maria Velasco, Paul Clay and Diego Rivera.

The museum has ten rooms. There is a room on the ground floor which contains some of Kahlo’s minor works. Beside it is a staircase leading from the courtyard area to the upper floor. Two rooms on the upper floor that are open to the public include Frida’s last bedroom and studio area. It is located in the wing that Rivera built. The original furniture is still there.

(9) Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Basilica of Guadalupe is one of the most visited Catholic shrines and is the national shrine of Mexico. Located north of Mexico City, it is the second Catholic shrine after Vatican City. The Old Basilica, popularly known as the “Tempo Expeditorio a Cristo Re” and built between 1531 and 1709.

In 1904, the temple was a basilica, which in Latin means Royal Hall. The Old Basilica was submerged to preserve this architectural jewel and decided that a new basilica was to be built. The old temple closed to the public from 1976 to May 2000. The architect Pedro Ramirez Vazec built the modern basilica, named Basilica of St. Mary of Guadalupe between 1974 and 1976.

It is a circular building so you can see the cloak from inside. It has a diameter of 100 meters. The structure supported by a major archway to guarantee that the basilica will not submerge. The story goes that in the winter of 1531 a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego. The appearance took place 10 years after the Spanish defeated the Aztec.

Juan Diego, born in 1474, attended Aztec ceremonies and witnessed the decline of his civilization. What is important in the story is that Mary appears to the Mexican, not to the Spanish conquest. Mary tells Juan Diego to climb the hill where he will find special proof of divine presence to take bishop.

At the top of the hill, Juan Diego found amazing flowers despite the winter frost. He picked them up and tied them inside his cloak. When he went to the Bishop’s house to give her flowers, there was another surprise. The image of the Virgin Mary appeared inside his cloak, or tilma. This is the picture that hangs in the Basilica.

(10) Chapultepec Castle

Chapultepec Castle commemorates the history of Mexico, from the conquest of Tenochtitlan to the Mexican Revolution. It is located on the highest part of the hill. It is a neo-classical building that expanded and remodeled since its construction as Viceroy’s Summer Palace.

Although it was built for rest houses, over time it was adapted for various uses. It was a military school, with Maximilian and Carlotta as royal residence, presidential residence and since 1939, The headquarters of the National History Museum. The building has area of 10,000 square meters. It consists of structures built along the slope of the hill as well as gardens, walkways and external stairs.

Entrance starts at the foot of the hill and leads to the outer gates of the Castle. Its rooms show a diversity of objects representative of four centuries of Mexico’s history. On September 13, 1847, Ninos Heroes died while guarding the palace during the Battle of Chapultepec. Juan Escatia wrapped himself in a Mexican flag and threw himself from the castle walls to prevent the flag from falling into American hands.

Maximilian of Austria became Emperor of Mexico in 1864. However, many foreign governments refused to recognize his rule, considering him a puppet of France. Emperor Maximilian I and his wife, Empress Carlotta, took up residence in the palace. They asked to renovate it in the neoclassical style, which was popular at the time. Many of the rooms remain on show today, including Carlotta’s bedroom and bathroom.

With the fall of the Second Mexican Empire in 1867, the palace was once again abandoned. In 1939, President Lazaro Cardenas del Rio announced that the palace would thus be home to Mexico’s National History Museum, El Musio National de Historia, and it has been ever since.