City In Mexico » Mexico City

Exploring the Mexico City area, Teotihuacan, Part 2

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:23:25 +0000

Next stop on your tour is the Avenue of the Dead. It is the main axis of the city. It stretches to the north from the Citadel all the way to the Temple of the Moon. You will see the “Edificios Superpuestos”, where excavations have unearthed living quarters below the present level, which were filled in with rubble in order to build the second stage. On either side of the Avenue of the Dead are residential palace compounds (probably occupied by noble families). Each is a square, 200 feet on a side, and is surrounded by a wall. The pedestrian would have seen only the high walls facing the streets, pierced by inconspicuous doors.
Then we come to the famous Pyramid of the Sun. It is one of ancient Mexico’s largest structures, with nearly 200 feet of heights and 700 feet wide. It was constructed in two phases. The first construction stage, around 100 A.D., brought the pyramid to nearly the size it is today. The second round of construction resulted in its completed size, making it the third largest pyramid in the world behind the Great Pyramid of Cholula and The Great Pyramid. The Pyramid was built on top of a cave which was discovered in 1970. This cave is over 100 yards long and ends in the shape of a four-leaf clover, with four chambers. According to many beliefs, in ancient Mexico, the caves actually were passageways to the underworld. If you can plan your visit to Teotihuacan, try to come there on the days of the fall and spring equinox. Then Teotihuacan is crowded with people who are dressed in white and climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. On the top they are receiving the special energy of the site. If 250 stairs is not much for you, you should definitely climb up and at least enjoy in the magnificent view.
When you get enough of the Pyramid of the Sun, move on to the Quetzalpapalotl Palace. It is situated on the way to the Pyramid of the Moon. It is assumed that this was the residence of Teotihuacan’s ruler. Next you will see the Patio of the Quetzalpapalotl Palace. The name Quetzalpapalotl is Nahuatl for the “Quetzal butterfly” and it was applied to this building because of carved images like this one which appear on the columns surrounding the courtyard shown above. Some of these images are thought to represent the quetzal bird, which was revered by pre-European peoples living throughout Central America. Some of the images show a creature which is a combination of the quetzal and a butterfly, hence the name. The pillars that surround it are made of stone blocks carved with images of birds. Some of them are shown in profile and others are facing forward. Going on you will come to the Patio of the Jaguars. It is placed behind the Quetzalpapalotl Palace and it is a rectangular patio surrounded by rooms with jaguar murals. The jaguars that are pictured here are holding conch shells in their mouths. The figure in the five-pointed stars above the jaguars is the rain and maize god Tlaloc, probably the most powerful god in ancient central America. From this palace you can enter the subterranean Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells which has murals of shells, perhaps outfitted as musical instruments, together with birds spouting water, painted in green, blue, yellow and red.

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Sights to see in Mexico, Teotihuacan, Part 1

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:12:18 +0000

If you have time for a day trip and if you are ready to leave the Mexico City, go 25 miles northward and visit Teotihuacan. It is a large archaeological site that is widely known for its large pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon. But that is not all that you can see here, it also contains unique murals and carvings and several museums through which you can explore the city’s fascinating history.
Also known as the ˝city of the gods˝, Teotihuacan was a huge urban center with a population of 200,000, making Teotihuacan one of the largest cities in the world, from 200 BC up to 800 AD. To the Aztecs Teotihuacan is a sacred site despite the fact that it had been abandoned long before their time. The interesting thing is that no one was able to discover which ethnic group or the language was spoken by the inhabitants of Teotihuacan, so they are called “Teotihuacanos.”
There is one important tip for all those who decide to come and see Teotihuacan. There are five entrances and if you want to do a full tour of the site, enter at entrance 1 at the south end of the site. However, if you want a shortened tour, begin at entrance 2, it is a level where the Pyramid of the Sun is situated. Entering on the entrance 2 is a great option if you are time limited or you are not interested in all that Teotihuacan can show you.
In the following text I will try to lead you through Teotihuacan and introduce you some of the most popular things there and what you really have to see if you ever get the chance to go there. So, during this tour bear in mind that these are the things that really took my breath away and I hope that it will do the same to you.
First stop on your tour of Teotihuacan is the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Citadel actually was the center of the city of Teotihuacan. However, you would not tell that today since it is on the southernmost point of the area open to visitors. During your visit you should keep in mind that the really city actually extended over 12 square miles. What hides behind the name of Citadel today is a large open space with temples surrounding it that was probably used for ceremonies, in the past. In order to see the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, you should walk across the square and climb the steps on the opposite side. The façade of the building is decorated with alternating heads of the serpent and another figure, sometimes called Tlaloc, and there are also decorations of snails and shells that symbolize the water. The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is dated to the second phase of Teotihuacán, Miccaotli. Along the balustrades of its frontal stairway and undulating along the talud-tablero bodies of each stage of this stepped pyramid are sculptured representations of Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent. Alternating with the Feathered Serpents on the tableros are heads of another monster that can be identified with the Fire Serpent — bearer of the Sun on its diurnal journey across the sky.

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Basilica de Guadalupe

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:33:01 +0000

Basilica de Guadalupe is the most visited religious site in Mexico City. It is at the hill where the virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. She is the patroness of Mexico and a very important national symbol. The Basilica of Guadalupe is one of the most visited churches in the world and it is considered to be an important Catholic pilgrimage site. The so called ¨New¨Basilica de Guadalupe was build in the second half of the last century on the site of a 16th Century church, also known as «Old Basilica». The huge plaza in front of the basilica has room for 50 000 worshippers and that is the amount of people that gathered there on December 12th when the celebration of the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is held. When it comes to the architectural features it is worth to say that its construction was inspired from 17th century churches in Mexico. When it was finished, most of the folks did not like the design, however, due to the soft subsoil this was the only type of the construction that could be made. In the basilica the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is held and the circular floorplan allows views of the virgin from every spot inside the building. Raising head beneath the central column would have a head-spinning effect since it is 42 meters high and beautifully decorated. Except from the «new» basilica, you can see «old» basilica and visit a museum of religious art.

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Frida Kahlo Museum

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:28:57 +0000

At the corner of Allende in the Colonia Del Carmen Coyoacan area of Mexico City is a Museum Frida Kahlo. It is actually the Casa Azul or Blue House in Coyoacan. It was the family home of the famous artist and wife of painter Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo. This world wide known artist grew up in this house and in her final years she returns here with her husband. Four years after Frida Kahlo’s death, the house was converted into a museum. Here all the fans can take a glimpse into the private life of these artists. Among all, the museum contains Frida’s and Deego’s personal belongings it is decorated with Mexican arts and crafts. Unfortunately, here you can see a really small amount of both artists works, since they are not exhibited here. In order to see some Frida Kahlo’s paintings you should go to the Dolores Olmedo Patiño Museum in Xochimilco or the Modern Art Museum in Chapultepec Park. The thing that no one can ignore is the fact that there is a special atmosphere in this house. Behind tall blue walls is a completely different world made by Frida Kahlo. The creative spirit of the famous Latin-American artist vibrates in the house and that is why this is a place where many artists come in order to find themselves. So, do not miss the opportunity to discover your own creative spirit in the Museo Frida Kahlo.

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Xochimilco

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:27:21 +0000

If you ever come to Mexico City, the visit to the Xochimilco would definitely be a highlight of your trip. Half a century ago this was an agricultural hub, a metropolis of 235,000 inhabitants and today it consists of canals and gardens, which is all that is left of the lake on which Mexico City was built. The name Xochimilco means ‘garden of flowers’ and here you can ride colourful boats along the canals while a mariachi band serenades you and there are always plenty of vendors with food and drink, souvenirs and music. This activity is widely enjoyed by Mexicans, so it’s one of the more authentic tourist experiences available. As you travel you will see city life, restaurants, and greenhouses where flowers and plants are grown. Further beyond the city canals there is a wildlife preserve in which the original character of the chinampas may be seen. Xochimilco is divided into two main parts, traditional area and an echological park. This is a great place for bird watching since the canals and lagoons attract different birds. According to many guidebooks Xochimilco is known as the Venice of Mexico because they are so romantic. The best time for visiting Xochimilco is two weeks before the Easter when the annual Xochimilco Festival is held.

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Mexico – National Anthropology Museum

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:10:09 +0000

If you are interested in the Mesoamerican artifacts you should definitely pay a visit to the National Anthropology museum, which is located in the Chapultepec Park. Here you would be able to examine the most impressive collection of Mesoamerican artifacts in the world. To each cultural region a hall is dedicated and some rooms have ethnological exhibitions as well. There is so much to see, so you should dedicate the whole day to this amazing museum. The real must is the Aztec exhibit with the famous Sun Stone or “Aztec Calendar.” Also, you should not leave without seeing the Recreation of Pakal’s tomb in Maya exhibit room and Jade mask of the Zapotec Bat God in Oaxaca. Something that really makes the visit to the National Museum of Anthropology special is that the exhibitions in the rooms are organized in the chronological order, so if you start on the right and make your way around counter-clockwise you will get the feeling for how the culture changed over time. On the other hand, if you go to the left on the entrance you will come to the halls that are devoted to the development of other areas of Mexico. Something that also could impress you is the rooms where the archeological scenes are recreated which give the chance to see the pieces in the context in which they were found. This magnificent museum is built around a large courtyard, so take your time to see as many as possible and at the end take a break in a beautiful courtyard.

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The Great Temple aka Templo Mayor

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:38:12 +0000

Not far from the National Palace, the main temple of the Aztecs is situated known as Templo Mayor. In the previous century, electric company workers came across a large round stone depicting the Aztec moon goddess Coyolxauqui and that is how the excavation of the great temple began. All the items found on the site; interesting scale model of the city in the ancient times, ruins from the sidewalk, together with the stone sculpture of the moon goddess are displayed in the Templo Mayor. This temple is only a part of a larger sacred center of the famous city of Tenochititan that contained up to 78 buildings. This specific temple is believed to be dedicated to Tlaloc, the rain god, and Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. Like all the important buildings in the Mexico City, the Templo Mayor also went through several phases of construction and every phase made the building bigger. It is a large stone pyramid with the familiar wide staircases and temples seen throughout Mexico. Two snake heads guard the foot of the main staircase and appear elsewhere in the temple. Templo Mayor was a symbolic recreation of Coatepec, “the Hill of the Serpent,” a mythical sacred place. The Aztecs referred to Templo Mayor as Coatepec. By paying the admission fee you will have the opportunity to see all the artifacts found on the site and study it by yourselves.

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Palacio Nacional aka National Palace

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:35:42 +0000

On the East side of the Zocalo there is the government building that houses the federal treasure and national archives. This site has been a palace for the ruling class of Mexico since the Aztec empire, and much of the current palace’s building materials is from the original one that belonged to Moctezuma II and that is why many claim that it has been built on the grounds where Moctezuma’s palace had stood. Here, the main attraction is Diego Rivera’s murals. These murals, painted between 1929 and 1952, depict thousands of years of Mexican history, precisely from prehispanic times to the workers movement that took place in 1930s. The admission to the building is free so everyone could see these master pieces. The National Palace is very important during the Independence Day Celebration. In other words, on September 15th at midnight when the Mexican independence is celebrated, the president of Mexico appears at the central balcony, rings a bell and shouts: “Viva Mexico!” and the crowd gathered in the Zocalo respond: “Viva!” From the Palacio Nacional the best way to continue the Mexican City walking tour is to turn right on the exiting from the National Palace and cross the street to the petite plaza, called the Plaza del Seminarioand crossing the plaza you will come across an archaeological site known as the Templo Mayor.

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Catedral Metropolitana aka Metropolitan Cathedral

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:33:15 +0000

Cathedral Metropolitana is the large cathedral on the North side of the Plaza de la Constitución. It took almost 3 centuries to construct and decorate this beautiful cathedral which is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. As a result of being built over such a long period of time, the cathedral is host of a diversity of architectal styles. It has four facades which contain portals flanked with columns and statues, two bell towers that hold 25 bells. There are sixteen chapels and fourteen of them are open to the public. Unfortunately, like many buildings in Mexico City, Cathedral Metropolitana is gradually sinking into the ground as well. This is contributed by the city’s soft clay subsoil, the weight of the cathedral and the uneven foundations. In order to stabilize the building, the restoration works begun in the 1990s. However, the gold has not been reached; the only thing that could be done was to correct the tilting towers and ensured that the cathedral will now sink uniformly. When it comes to the interior of the cathedral, it is as astonishing as its exterior, filled with important historical items. If you are interested in seeing many other historical buildings, when exiting the Cathedral turn right and go to Francisko Madero Street, originally called San Francisco Street due to a Franciscan church and monastery.

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Zocalo – The Plaza de la Constitución

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:13:18 +0000

The Plaza de la Constitución, commonly called the Zocalo is the main square in the historic center of Mexico City. This square on the territory of 830 x 500 feet is the second largest square in the world, taking place just after the Moscow’s Red Square. It is bordered by the Cathedral, the National Palace, the Federal District buildings and the Old Portal de Mercaderes, the Nacional Monte de Piedad building, with the Templo Mayor site to the northeast, just outside of view. The Zocalo is thought to be the best staring point for everyone’s walking tour of the historical center. What is more, it is the heart of the city, an important gathering place that is especially used for festivals, demonstrations and variety of cultural events. The Zocalo has changed its appearance through history, that made him so special, and today it is a large, paved square with a huge Mexican flag in the center. The name of the square, the Zocalo actually means pedestal or stand. This alludes to the pedestal that was placed in the center of the square in order for a monument to be set up to commemorate Mexican independence in 1800s. However, the statue was never placed on the pedestal and people started to call the square the Zocalo. As a result, in many Mexican towns the main square is called the Zocalo.

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