Exploring The Stunning Historic Center Of Mexico City

Exploring the Stunning Historic Center of Mexico City

Loads of tourists seem to have the impression that Mexico is just a bunch of beaches surrounded by little towns. For those people, it’s hard to imagine that Mexico City is an urban metropolis filled with an array of history and interesting things to explore. Here are the most interesting things about exploring the historic center of Mexico City.

Get Acclimated

Before venturing out to explore the wonderful historic center of Mexico City, there are a couple of things you should be prepared for:

1) Mexico City sits at a towering 7,200 feet above sea levels between the Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental mountain ranges. It is important to acclimate when arriving to the city to avoid altitude sickness. Drink lots of water and remember to take it slow. Dizziness and shortness of breath are common.

2) Always remember to be on the lookout for pick-pockets. Unfortunately, like many other Latin American downtown areas, thieves tend to thrive. Watch your belongings, don’t flash money, and avoid all activities that would make you a target. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Notble sights in the Historic Center of Mexico City

Templo Mayor

One of the first things you will see or read about when searching for things to do in Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX) is the Templo Mayor. Located in El Zocalo, it is the remnants of the Aztec main temple. Originally constructed in 1325, it was the focal centerpiece of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochititlan in what used to be the marshes of Lake Texcoco.

After the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1521, the temple was mostly destroyed and buried to make way for a grand cathedral in its place. It remained buried until 1978, when the colonial buildings were torn down and an excavation project to uncover the remains began. The stone walls of the ancient temple are a spectacular contrast to the more modern buildings surrounding it.

There is an interesting museum on site that does a pretty great job of painting a picture of what the city looked like in pre-colonial times. This structure is easily the most interesting thing about the historic center of Mexico City (though there are a few others).

Plaza de la Constitucion

The plaza surrounding Templo Mayor is known as Plaza de la Constitucion. It is a large plaza that marks the historic center of Mexico City, which is marked by an enormous beautiful Mexican flag. It flies in the wind with the stunning colonial cathedral as its backdrop.

During the time of the Aztecs, El Zocalo was the central location for ceremonies. After colonial occupation, the square was converted into a political center, as well as a stage for many cultural events and public concerts. It is one of the defining marks of the historic center of Mexico City.

If you’re lucky, you will catch a feria taking place in the squire. While the large tents that house the celebrations tend to mess up instagram pictures of El Zocalo, its well worth the fun of watching (and even participating in) the festivities.

Palacio Postal

The surprising beauty of this post office makes it one of the most interesting structures in the historic center of Mexico City by far. It was designed by Adamo Boari, an Italian architect who was also responsible for the design of the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes across the street.

This structure was completed in 1907, and is an eclectic mix of Venician, Spanish Rococo, Baroque, Neoclassical, Gothic Revial, Art Deco and Moorish styles of architecture. The most notable element of the Palacio Postal is the staircase, though the use of a crystalline stone called chiluca is impressive as well. Well worth a walk around.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the buildings in the historic center of Mexico City that stands out as European (non-colonial) inspired. When you stand on the back side of it looking at the metro station, it’s a view that looks almost like it belongs in Paris, not Mexico. It is easily identified by by its Art Deco design and large golden dome that shines in the sun.

This “Palace of Fine Arts” is one of the most prominent cultural centers in Mexico City. It is known for hosting all sorts of events including opera, theater, music and dance, as well as the exhibition locale for well known painters and artists. Diego Rivera’s murals are housed in the Bellas Artes, as well as the works of numerous other notable artists.

The building is unique in design and stands out as one of the more interesting structures in the historic center of Mexico City. No matter what angle you look at it from, there is some interesting defining feature not typical of Mexican style.

Salvador Dali Sculpture Garden

Located just on the edge of Plaza de la Constitucion stands a free garden park area that is home to some of the most beautiful sculptures of Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Being a major Dali fan, this was undoubtedly my favorite part of the historic center of Mexico City. Consisting of 20 sculptures that exhibit the artist’s anxieties and obsessions, they stand as a tribute to his masterful works.

This garden was funded and opened by the Soumaya Museum and the Mexico City Municipal Government as a means of cultural development in the area. Well worth the stop to meander around some of Dali’s wonderful sculptures (and signature clocks) in this free outdoor museum.

Alameda Central Park

This public park takes residence surrounding the Palacio de Bellas Artes, on the edge of the historic center of Mexico City. Reminiscent of Central Park in New York City, Alameda Central Park is a green nature-filled oasis in the middle of a bustling noisy city. Great place to stroll on a warm sunny day, or to rest your legs after trekking the sights of the city center.

For the Museum Lovers

In addition to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, there are several other museums that make up the historical center of Mexico City. They include the Museo Arte Popular, Museo Mural Diego Rivera, and the Antiguo Palacio de Iturbude. Each has it’s own appeal the the museum goer type, and worth a visit (especially on a rainy day).

Final Notes

Despite having a sometimes sketchy and drug related reputation, Mexico City is actually a wonderful city filled with tons of culture and history to be explored. Beyond just the historic center of Mexico City, there are an ample number of other things to discover, such as the neighborhood of Roma as an example. This city rightfully should be a bucket list destination for every traveler.

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