Xochimilco
A
living testimony to this watery area of Mexico before the
conquest, Xochimilco also attests to the period of the Viceroyalty.
Meaning "Land of Flowers," it is a landscape of
176 kilometers of ancient canals called chinampas, built
for irrigation and transportation by the Aztecs. Artificial
islets were created by layering logs, earth, mud and roots
tied with vine, and planting ahuejote, a native plant whose
tough roots hold the walls of the chinampas. Today, Xochimilco
has been regenerated and visitors can take a trip on wooden
boats trimmed with beautiful fresh flowers. The 14 kilometers
of navigable waterway are lined with vendors selling their
wares and delicacies, and groups of mariachi or marimba
serenading from their own wooden boats.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
In
1904 the construction of the Palacio de Bellas Artes began
on the remains of the Santa Isabel convent. Porfirio Diaz
had wanted to inaugurate it in 1911, to commemorate the
one hundredth anniversary of independence from Spain. However,
the project, which was under the guidance of Italian architect
Adamo Boari, suffered serious setbacks due to the instability
of the ground that had been chosen for the building. Time
passed, the revolution broke out, and in the end the palace
was not completed until 1934, by then with architect Federico
Mariscal heading the project. It is not strange, therefore,
that the marble façade, built in a style somewhere
between neo-classical and art nouveau, is contrasted by
an interior that looks much more art deco in appearance.
Art connoisseurs will certainly appreciate the museums murals
by Rivera, Siqueiros, Orozco, Tamayo and Montenegro, along
with the glass Tiffany curtain, composed of almost a million
individual pieces, on which Doctor Atl (a modern Mexican
landscape painter) depicted the volcanoes of Mexico.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
In
1531 a man named Juan Diego claimed he had had a vision
of the Virgin Mary. The local bishop Friar Juan de Zumárraga
was skeptical, and asked for proof. Diego had a second vision;
this time the image of the Virgin became emblazoned on a
cape with which he had gathered some roses. The bishop needed
no further convincing and immediately ordered a church to
be built on the site of the Holy visitation atop mount Tepeyac.
Over the centuries the devout continued to congregate, so
much so that the original 16th century church had to be
replaced by a basÍlica, designed by Pedro RamÍrez
Vasquez (architect of the Museo Nacional de Antropología).
The cape itself is behind the altar encased in glass. The
ancient basilica was recently reopened.
Six Flags Mexico
The
largest amusement park in Latin America has become part
of a well-known US amusement conglomerate. Known as Six
Flags Mexico it incorporated the rides and themes of its
northern domain, including its Adventure Kingdom, dizzying
roller coasters, and shows. There are dining facilities
available on premises.
Castillo de Chapultepec
The
Castillo de Chapultepec was built between 1780 and 1790,
constructed on top of an Aztec fortress, providing panoramic
views of the city. The gardens surrounding the palace were
designed by Empress Carlota during the French occupation
and offer a beautiful stroll. It once served as the Colegio
Militar (Military Academy) and was also the official presidential
residence until 1939, when President Crdenas converted the
palace into the Museo Nacional de Historia. A restoration
has significantly enhanced both the construction as well
as the design of the interiors.
Museo Frida Kahlo
This
was home to the enigmatic painter Frida Kahlo (often called
"the paintbrush of angst") where she occasionally
lived with her husband Diego Rivera. Personal objects such
as jewelery, unfinished canvases propped on easels, her
typical tehuana ornate dresses, papier mache and pre-Hispanic
objects, as well as her wheelchair, are on display in the
studio where she painted. Works by Mexican painters such
as Jose María Velasco, Claussel and Orozco among
others, are exhibited alongside some of Frida's own paintings.
No photography is allowed.
Pirámides de Teotihuacan
This
is one of the tours that you cannot miss when you visit
Mexico. Just 45 minutes away from the capital city, it constitutes
a unique experience for those who are fascinated by ancient
civilizations. Although the main attractions are the pyramids
dedicated to the sun and moon, at Teotihuacan you will also
find the remains of a whole ceremonial center that includes
temples, patios, murals, sculptures and sacred altars covering
an area of 156 square kilometers. Located at the entrance
to the site is the Teotihuacan Museum with life-size reproductions
of goddesses and gods, and a large quantity of artifacts,
maps and chronological charts related to their culture.
By car, take the road to Tulancingo or to Pachuca; or, take
the tourist bus from the Indios Verdes metro station.
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Opened
in 1968, this museum is one of the best of its kind. A gigantic
statue of the water god Tláloc, weighing approximately
200 tons, is poised near the entrance. Archaeological finds
are exhibited throughout 11 halls depicting the different
American cultures that flourished in this region of Mesoamerica.
Ranging from the prehistoric until the Mexicas period, the
civilizations highlighted include the Golfo, Teotihuacan,
Maya and Tolteca. The cafeteria is worthwhile, and musicians
often give performances here, using replicas of prehistoric
instruments.
Papalote Museo del Niño
When
traveling with children, "The Kite" Museum (in
the Nahuatl language, "butterfly") is an ideal
place to visit. Opened in 1993 the museum offers a hands-on,
interactive, ultra-modern experience, including an IMAX
theatre. It is divided into five major sections dedicated
to discovering the Human Body, Communications, Our World,
Expressions and Con-Ciencia (a play on double meanings:
"Con-science" to also mean With-science). Workshops,
a theatre, restaurant and a gift shop are also open to the
public.
Templo Mayor
In
1519, when the first Spaniards marched into the city of
Tenochtitlán, it was the heart of the Aztec empire.
Founded on a lake island in 1325, the city was the nerve
center of political and economic control of an extensive
area of Native America. More than 200,000 people lived in
an urban area measuring almost 15 square kilometers, which
included approximately 80 civil and religious buildings.
The most important of these was the Templo Mayor, or Main
Temple, on the crest of which were found two shrines, one
dedicated to the god of war Huizilopochtli, and another
to the rain god Tláloc. Today, you can still see
the temple's pyramidal base, enlarged seven times in 200
years. To one side of the site is the Casa de los Caballeros
Aguila, House of the Men-Eagle, which once housed an ancient
order of elite warriors.
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