MÉXICO CITY
ARCHAEOLOGY
Apart from some archeological zones in the surrounding areas where traces of the pre Hispanic civilization have been found, there are three essential archeological sites in Mexico City: The Templo Mayor (the Main Temple) is a series of pyramidal constructions built one over the other, where the monolith of the Mexica goddess, Coyolxauhqui, was found. The Plaza de las Tres Culturas (The Plaza of the Three Cultures) in Tlatelolco shows three very important facets of Mexican architecture: the pre Hispanic, the colonial and the modern. The pyramid at Cuicuilco in the south of the city is a curious circular construction half hidden by the lava the Xitle volcano spewed forth more than three thousand years ago.
Cuicuilco
Cuicuilco is located at the crossing of the Periférico (the Ring Road) and Insurgentes Avenue is one of the most important ceremonial centers on the Anáhuac plateau. It reached its peak 2,600 years ago when a 25-meter circular pyramid was constructed; however, the lava flowing from the Ixtle volcano buried part of the ruins prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.
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.
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.
ARCHITECTURE
Architectural works in varying styles were built in the city during the pre Hispanic, colonial and modern eras. The period of the Spanish colony was when sober, baroque style mansions, palaces and sumptuous churches were built, and some of the houses belonging to famous counts and marquises were decorated with carvings and ornaments that reflected their owners’ social status. Great palaces, such as the National Palace, were built as offices for the Vice Regal government and Catholic churches were constructed for the faithful, including one of the most important in America: the Metropolitan Cathedral. Even hospitals, such as the Hospital de Jesús (the Hospital of Jesus), were built in an artistic style that gave them a lofty grandeur.
After the country gained its independence, the neoclassic style took over and changed the look of many of the buildings, thus giving the city an air of elegance. A case in question is the Palacio de Minería (The Mining Palace) and the current Museo Nacional de Arte (The National Art Museum). A “Frenchified” architectural style and (a short time later) art deco came into fashion in the new Roma and Juárez residential districts during the presidency of Porfirio Díaz, enriching the city center with such buildings as the Palacio de Bellas Artes (The Palace of Fine Arts) and the Post Office building.
During the modern era, skyscrapers went up in the Polanco, Anzures and Santa Fe districts and along great avenues such as Avenida Insurgentes where the World Trade Center is located.
Central Post Office
With its blend of Gothic, Spanish Plateresque, Venetian and art nouveau styles, the Palacio Postal or Central Post Office reflects the efforts of Porfirio Díaz to emphasize Mexico¿s stability and progress in the early 20th century.
Centro Nacional de las Artes
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.
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.
Desierto de los Leones
Rodeado por un bosque de pinos se encuentra un monasterio carmelita, construido en el siglo XVII, que junto con las montañas que lo rodean es muy visitado por quienes gustan de caminar y correr, además de ser un lugar ideal para realizar días de campo.
National Center for the Arts (Centro Nacional de las Artes)
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.
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.
National Palace
This is the main seat of political power. Inside the Palace are murals by Diego River on the theme of ¿The Epic of Mexico¿ and another on the principal Mesoamerican cultures that flourished in Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards.
National Autonomous University Cultural Center
This is considered one of the world’s finest concert halls for its outstanding acoustics.
Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts)
The Italian architect, Adamo Boari, started work on this magnificent building in 1904, but it was completed by Federico Mariscal in 1934. 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.
Puerta de Santa Fe
Located in the Santa Fe area on the road leading out of the city to Toluca, this modern construction was built of concrete and glass by Teodoro González de León.
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