No matter what time of the year you are heading to the Mexican capital, the Historic Center of Mexico City ought to be there on your itinerary. Also known as Centro Histórico de la Ciudad, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is dotted with some of the most notable highlights in the capital city. While visiting the center, you get an opportunity to explore museums, art galleries and prominent architectural structures. To ensure you don’t miss out on the best of the highlights in the Historic Center, we have curated the following list of top attractions in the Historic Center.
Mexico City – The Zocalo
Being the largest plaza in Latin America, it can accommodate 100,000 people at a time. Officially known as Plaza de la Constitución, the Zocalo hosts many events and festivals all through the year. This plaza has served as a primary site for many gatherings since Aztec times and today, it is the site for many political ceremonies. Zocalo is surrounded by some of the most prominent highlights in Mexico City such as Templo Mayor, Supreme Court of Justice of Nation and the National Palace.
The Metropolitan cathedral
Located at the northern end of Zocalo, the cathedral is one of the largest and older in the entire Western Hemisphere. Its facade features baroque and neoclassical architectural impressions. When it comes to the interiors, the cathedral is home to an incredible carved Altar of Kings and the painting of the Assumption.
The National Palace
The entire east side of the Zocalo is covered by the magnificent National Palace. The 200 meters long facade is made of red tezontle stone and is often rated as one of the finest buildings in the Mexican capital. It is built on an Aztec palace and known for its spectacular features such as Freedom Bell, Grand Courtyard, and the impeccable mural, ’History of Mexico’ created by Diego Rivera.
Templo Mayor
History and archeology lovers cannot miss out on visiting Templo Mayor or the Main Temple which lets you peek into the Mesoamerican past. After the discovery of the first relic in 1978, archeologists found more interesting relics in further excavations such as a pyramid boasting well preserved temple walls. You can take a closer look at the artifacts related to the temple at the onsite museum known as Museum of the Templo Mayor.
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