 |
 Palace
of Fine Arts
One of the main construction materials is marble, and
the building has several sculptures by Spanish and Italian
artists and mural paintings by Orozco, Diego Rivera, Camarena,
Tamayo and Siqueiros. The exterior is in the Art Nouveau
style, while the interior is art deco. The auditorium
has an audience capacity of two thousand. |
|
 Historical
downtown
The most interesting historical site in Mexico City is
the Zócalo (The Main Square) where numerous events
took place during the course of Mexican history. The Zócalo
was often visited by Viceroys during the colonial period
and by presidents after the War of Independence; the Emperor
Maximilian was also a frequent visitor. The whole square
is surrounded by some extraordinary architecture, including
the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. |
|
 Chapultepec
Castle
The castle dates from 1785 when the viceroy Gálvez
ordered that a town be built on top of the hill. It was
used at the residence of the governors of the moment,
the Military College and now houses the National Museum
of History, having been remodeled several times in the
course of its existence. |
|
 Museum
of Anthropology
This museum houses the most important collection of archaeological
pieces in the country, displayed in 11 exhibition halls
showing the richness of Mexico´s pre-Hispanic past. |
|
|
 National
Museum of Art
Opposite Plaza de Tolsá stands this fascinating
construction built between 1904 and 1911 to house the
Secretariat of State for Communications. In 1982 it was
turned into a museum to show the development of plastic
arts in Mexico. |
|
 The
Modern Art Museum
The permanent exhibitions at this museum consist of a
collection of works by artists from the Mexican school
of painting, such as Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington,
Diego Rivera, and Francisco Toledo. This is a modernist
building with a curvilinear style, and apart from the
permanent displays, there are also rooms with temporary
exhibitions. |
|
 Shopping
One of the most interesting places for shopping for handicrafts
from the remotest corners of the country is an open air
market that is set up on weekends alongside the main square
in Coyocacán. You will also be able to find everything
you want at the Bazár de los Sábados in
San Angel, another picturesque village that has been engulfed
by the big city. If you are looking for more elegant shops,
then those in the Zona Rosa ( the Pink Zone) are sure
to satisfy. You can buy clothes, jewelry and costume jewelry
there; beautiful Indigenous handicrafts can be found at
Fonart. |
|
 Archaeological
Great Temple
This combination of patios, superimposed remains of pyramids
and staircases reveals fascinating architectural and historical
aspects of the ceremonial and religious life of the ancient
Mexico. The monolith of the goddess Coyolxauhqui was found
here. |
|
 National
Center for the Arts
A new Arts complex dedicated to the teaching and practice
of dance, theater, plastic arts, music, and cinematography
was inaugurated in 1994. This building, designed by the
Legorreta firm of architects, has contributed a great
deal to the improvement of the urban landscape. |
|
 La
Marquesa
This wide valley surrounded by mountains covered with
forests and pastureland was declared the Miguel Hidalgo
y Castillo National Park in 1936. The park is ideal for
picnics, walks, horseback riding and motorcycling. |
