[Ballet Folklorico]  [The Cathedral]  [Chapultepec Castle]  [Chapultepec Park ]  [Coyoacan]  [Cuernavaca]
[Main Post Office]  [National Museum of Anthropology]  [National Palace]  [National Pawn Shop]  [Palace of Fine Arts]
[Sun and Moon Pyramids]  [Taxco]  [Templo Mayor- Aztec Ruins]   [University City]  [Xochimilco Boat Ride]  [Zocalo]

National Museum of Anthropology.
By far, the most rewarding museum to visit in Mexico City is the National Museum of Anthropology. Consisting of some 44,000 square feet, it is considered by many to be among the finest museums in the world. It is an excellent place to begin your tours of Mexico City and to gain insight into the history of Mexico. The first floor is dedicated to pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures and the second floor houses all information on contemporary Mexican cultures and rural life. The museum magnificently outlines the history of the people of Mexico beginning some 10,000 years ago until present. On display are pottery, art, and artifacts from the culture of Teotihuacan, the Aztecs, and their predecessors, the Toltecs. Also included is the history of the Maya, the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs. The entire ancient history of Mexico is outlined here, and the displays are magnificent.

Also included is the modern history of Mexico, after the invasion by the Spanish in the early 16th century. This is a must-see destination and would make an excellent first day tour to get yourself oriented with the culture of Mexico.

National Museum of Anthropology: 011-525-553-0381

Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio De Bellas Artes)
This ornate, white marble structure was designed and executed mainly by Italian architects and sculptors; its exterior epitomizes the adoption of grand European styles characteristic of turn-of-the-20th-century public buildings in Mexico.  Because of its enormous weight and the softness of the underlying soil, the building--like many others in the city-- has settled considerably since its construction, and thousands of tons of concrete have been pumped underneath it to prevent further sinking.

Inside an art deco look prevails.  This is the city's cultural center; it houses the national opera, national theater and the National Symphony Orchestra.  The walls of the second and third floors are covered with outstanding murals by Jose Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Rufino Tamayo.  Especially noteworthy is Rivera's work "Man in Control of His Universe," originally commissioned for New York City's Rockefeller Center in 1933 to illustrate the theme "Man at the Crossroads." His caustic rendering of capitalism and depiction of workers rallying behind socialist Vladimir Lenin angered the Rockefeller family, who had the mural destroyed; Rivera re-created it for the palace the following year.

In addition to the murals, there is a permanent collection of paintings, mostly by 19th- century Mexican artists.  Major traveling art exhibitions are also mounted.   Open Tues.-Sun. 10-6.  admission is charged to see the murals.  Phone: (5)-510-1388

Ballet Folklorico
A performance by the world renowned Mexican Folklore Ballet.  Two companies, one touring and the other resident, alternate performances in the palace theater, and their choreographed skills are indeed something to see.  Shows take place Wed.  and Sun. at 9p.m.; also Sun. morning at 9:30.   Admission is charged.  For ticket information phone (5)510-1388

Chapultepec Park (Bosque De Chapultepec)
It is the oldest natural park in North America and one of the largest and most varied in the world.  On weekends and holidays city dwellers flock to it's 2,100 acres to enjoy greenery, botancial gardens, playgrounds, lovely drives, bridle paths, polo games or boating on one of the several lakes.  Chapultepec is one of the oldest natural parks in the Western Hemisphere.  Many of it's trees are centuries old and some stand 200 feet high.   An interesting and exciting way to spend a couple of hours is to visit the gigantic and delightful zoo, which is free, and where the animals are kept in as natural a setting as possible.

Chapultepec park is typically less crowded than Alameda Park, simply because it is much larger and less central. The castle is now a museum and several more excellent museums dot the park. At the edge of the park is the private residence of the President of Mexico. Like with most inner-city parks, however, it is advisable to avoid Alameda and Chapultepec parks at night.

Chapultepec Castle
Filled with History, Chapultepec Castle sits atop Grasshopper Hill in Chapultepec park, it was formerly the residence of Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlotta and contains many relics of their times.  In later years it was the official residence of Mexican Presidents and it now contains the National Historical Museum.  Closed Mondays.

University City
Founded in 1551 by special charter from the King of Spain, this is the oldest in the middle of the 19th century to be replaced 60 years later by today's institution.   Hand, ball courts and sport arenas copied from the old Pyramids adjoin modern structures of glass and steel.  The Olympic Stadium, is one of the outstanding features it was designed to resemble the crater of a volcano.  A bas-relief by Diego Rivera, made of natural varied colored stone, adorns the stadium.  The Medical School, the 14-story administration building and the startling Library also have outside walls of colorful mosaic.

Xochimilco Boat Ride
There are the famous Floating Gardens at Xochimilco.  Here your trip includes a ride on one of the flower-decked flat bottom boats through the canals.  Mariachi musicians in full regalia are on some of the boats and their music prevades the atmosphere.

Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca is only 50 miles south of Mexico City, but 2,500 feet lower.  It is known as the City of Eternal Spring, because of it's ideal climate.  It has been a favorite resort since the days of the Aztec Emperors and Mexico's Rulers, including Cortes, Maximillian and Empress Carlota.  Among the numerous attractions in the floral city are the famous Borda Gardens, designed after those at Versailles, the Cathedral and the recently restored Cortes Palace.

Taxco
Taxco was just another Indian Village called Tlacho when rich silver deposits were discovered by Hernan Cortes, the Conquistador of Mexico.  In 1716 Jose de la Borda, a French miner, went there and amassed an immense fortune, some of the mines which he opened are still productive.  In order to protect this National Heritage and asset, the Mexican Government has set up a system to protect silver buyers.  The initials and the license number of the silversmith along with the purity ranking .925 will appear on each piece sold.  The buyer is assured that silver is real and not silver plated.  There are endless varied designs, hand wrought by skilled craftsmen, ranging from elegant to contemporary, to the highly ornate styles borrowed from Mexico's ancient cultures. 

Taxco is the supplier of silver articles for all the rest of Mexico, therefore the selection in Taxco is greater than any other place in the country.   There are over 500 silver ships!  The cost is somewhat less because there is no shipping charges involved.  Taxco is also known for it's colonial charm, built on the side of a mountain with white houses, red roofs and narrow cobblestone streets.   Other native handicrafts such as old-style sarapes, tin candlesticks, mirrors, hand-carved furniture, embroidered cottons, pottery and guitars can also be found.  

The Santa Prisca Church is a architectural centerpiece located in the main square.   It's towering Gothic Towers rise from the main square and are visible from everywhere on the hillside.  Taxco is a favorite place for visitors to enjoy a bit of old Mexico in the 20th century.

Zocalo
Mexico City's main square.  It has been the center of town and has held most patriotic activities since the days of the Aztec Empire.   It contains the Cathedral, National Palace, Supreme Court Building and the beautiful National Pawn Shop.  When these buildings are lit on Saturday and Sunday, it is a site well worth seeing.

National Palace
Occupying the original site of Moctezuma's Palace, this building covers two entire city blocks on the East side of the Zocalo.  Built by Cortes, the original structure was almost destroyed by mobs in 1692 and had to be rebuilt.  Portions of the original building still exist at the extreme rear.  It was the official residence of the viceroys from 1698 until the establishment of the Republic, since then it has housed the offices of the President of Mexico.  Additions have been made from time to time, the latest being the third floor in 1909.  The historical murals within the central entrance and on the walls of the main staircase are by Diego Rivera.  The Independence Bell, which Father Miguel Hidalgo tolled on the night of September 15, 1810 to call the people to arms, now hangs over the central doorway. 

Every year on September 15th at 11:00 p.m. the President rings the bell in a dramatic re-enactment.   Outstanding among the many salons are the great banquet hall, furnished during the reign of Emperor Maximilian and notable for it's carved paneling, the State reception room and the carved paneling, the State reception room and the magnificent ballroom.  Open daily except Monday.

The Cathedral
Located in the main square of Zocalo, it is the largest Church in Latin America and one of the largest in the world.  It was built on the site of an earlier Christian Church which was completed in 1525 and demolished in 1543 when the present structure was started.  The Sanctuary which adjoins the Cathedral was erected around 1750.  The Museum of Religious Art, located at the back, houses many vessels, statues, brocades, chalices etc. valued at more than 15 million dollars.

Templo Mayor- Aztec Ruins
On the Northeast corner opposite the Cathedral.  Excavations here have revealed the foundations of an ancient Aztec Structure, believed to have been part of the Great Temple of the God of War.

National Pawn Shop
At the Northwest corner of the Zocalo, it was founded in 1775 by the Count of Reglia, who made a fortune in the Silver Mines.  It was established for the public benefit, providing the poor with loans on personal property at low rates of interest.   Unredeemed articles may be bought cheaply at periodic auctions.  Of pure colonial architecture, it stands on the site of the palace built by Cortes.  Closed on Sundays.

Sun and Moon Pyramids at Teotihuacan
Located 31 miles Northeast of Mexico City, they were one of the most important discoveries in North America.  Covering 7 square miles, Majestic Pyramids, Temples and Courts comprise the complex, which is over 2000 years old.  The Pyramid of the Sun dominates the area and is the greatest Pyramid of it's kind in the Americas.  It rises in five diminishing levels to over 200 feet, it's base circumference is almost 700 feet.

Coyoacan
This is a market only open on Saturdays. It's a very interesting local market where you can find various merchandises.  Over here, if you know how to bargain with them, you can get the things you are interested with very satisfied prices.

Main Post Office
Built in 1907 during President Porfirio Diaz's campaign to Europeanize Mexico, this immense structure was not only built in Italian Renaissance style, but is made entirely of marble imported from Italy.  Of special interest is the intricate wrought-iron staircase starting on the main floor.  The Philatelic Museum is located on the 2nd floor as well as a special department for the sale of Mexican commemorative stamps for collectors.

Revised: 1999/01/10