EL ZOCALO, EL CATEDRAL, EL TEMPLO MAYOR, AND THE PALACIO MUNICIPAL. A PLACE OF GREAT HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.
THE AREA..
The grand Zócalo was the agora of the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán; from the ruins of its palaces and temples, new palaces and new temples were built but this time by Christians and not by the Aztecs. The markets continued to be markets and the city continued to grow. Large mansions, shops and schools were erected and fortunately the Center continued to be an historic and monumental place. Today these elegant palaces are museums, hotels and shops.
The ancient Tenochtitlán struggles to resurface among the stones and can be seen next to the Cathedral in the National Palace and wherever you would dig in the ground underneath the Zocalo. Almost every year new archaeological discoveries are being made.
The histroric center of Mexico City used to be a lagoon and this becomes obvious by observing how so many buildings defy gravity with its inclination. However, the center is not sinking: it moves, it reacts.
The Historic Center remains the center of Mexico City. Citizens continue to come here to celebrate, to protest, to have fun, to do their shopping and to walk around. Compared to any metropolis, the extraordinary thing about Mexico City is that there is no deception. It is as it is seen. There are no illusions or illusions for tourists. You will find a dynamic representation of Mexican society in the streets; Mexicans from outside the city selling typical food or artifacts, shoeshiners, canteens, popular markets, wrestling and street artists.
There is nothing else like the center of Mexico City, it makes you feel alive. It makes you feel that Mexico City is alive.
SOME SUGGESTIONS..
1. Go to the main square Zocalo and just be in awe about what you see.
2. Are you curious about what literally lies underneath the historic center? Then visit the Templo Mayor, a museum and excavation site with ruins of the past.
3. Go inside the Cathedral (that was actually built with the same stones from the ancient buildings in Tenochtitlan).
4. Have you heard of the famous muralist Diego Rivera? You can admire his large mural inside the Palacio Nacional.
5. Strawl around the neighborhood, explore the streets, shops and markets (el Mercado de San Juan) and eat some tacos and a torta.
6. Go to the Torre Latina and go all the way up to see the spectacular view over Mexico City.
7. Go to Garibaldi, a square famous for all the mariachis singing and waiting to be picked up and sing at a party. You will also find the Tequila Museum which is definately worth visiting.
