A rambling, majestic structure built from earth-hued tezontle rock, dominates the expanse of El Zócalo in the heart of Mexico City. Hernán Cortés, the conqueror of Mexico, built this government palace in 1693 on the very same site where the legendary Moctezuma II's residence once stood. The Palacio Nacional that we see today is almost an identical twin of its old self except for the building's ornately-decorated topmost floor that was added in the late 1920s. The structure's interiors are even more impressive; housing a spectacular selection of vivid and figurative murals by Diego Rivera. While his collection of murals is enormous, the "Epic of the Mexican People" mural is by far the Palacio's centerpiece which manages to artistically condense nearly two thousand years worth of history onto the space of an enormous wall. The palace also houses a small museum dedicated to Benito Juárez and the Mexican Congress and is also where the National Archives and Federal Treasury offices are located.
In 1519, when the first Spaniards marched into the city of Tenochtitlán, it was the heart of the Aztec Empire. Founded on a lake island in 1325, the city was the nerve center of political and economic control of an extensive area of the Americas. More than 200,000 people lived in an urban area measuring almost 15 square kilometers (5 square miles), which included approximately 80 civil and religious buildings. The most important of these was the Templo Mayor, or Main Temple, on the crest of which were found two shrines; one dedicated to the god of war Huitzilopochtli and the other to the rain god Tláloc. Today, one can still see the temple's pyramidal base, enlarged seven times in 200 years. To one side of the site is the Casa de Caballeros Aguila, or the House of the Men-Eagle, which once housed an ancient order of elite warriors. A museum, called Museo del Templo Mayor, dedicated to the temple was set up in 1987 to preserve and showcase the findings from archaeological sites of the shrine and around the main square. The four-story building inside the complex was designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázque and comprises of artifacts such as the stone disk of Coyolxauhqui, urns, musical instruments and knives.
The 27 halls comprising this 18th Century colonial palace offer an insight into the urban development of the city of Mexico through maps, paintings and photographs on exhibit. The room on the upper level displays murals painted by the Mexican painter Joaquín Claussel. Among the many highlights found here is a large wooden door of intricate carved detail, including the coat of arms belonging to the Counts of Santiago de Calimaya. A presumably pre-Hispanic serpent's head, fashioned in a large stone, juts out from the building towards the corner of República del Salvador.
Granja Las Américas basically means farms of America, it is a novel concept for the entertainment of the entire family. Not only entertainment but the whole family together can equip themselves with some learning and experience of the farm life. Children can enjoy with more than 150 animals of 15 different species, can learn planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables, and also produce some of the products they consume daily, such as milk, yogurt, tortillas, etc. Live a life like a farmer and have fun.
The Jardín del Arte Sullivan is an open air art market located in the lovely neighborhood of Colonia San Rafael. The market takes place on every Sunday and a horde of artists, painters, sculptors and photographers put their art pieces on display. This market was started in the 1950's by a few artists who could not display their artwork at galleries or exhibitions. So finding out a cheaper alternative to display their work, they started this wonderful market. A stroll around this place will open you up to the work of these local artists who have a story to tell. A lot of events are conducted by the artists as well as the association that runs the market.
The Fábrica de Artes y Oficios Oriente, better known as the FARO Oriente is a contemporary art space located in the city of Mexico. This place mainly serves as a cultural and training center for the underprivileged population of the city and the areas around it and aims to empower them by teaching them skills, so that they do not stray down the wrong path. Most workshops at the center are free and are related to writing, dancing, painting, sculpting, photography and many more.
A rambling, majestic structure built from earth-hued tezontle rock, dominates the expanse of El Zócalo in the heart of Mexico City. Hernán Cortés, the conqueror of Mexico, built this government palace in 1693 on the very same site where the legendary Moctezuma II's residence once stood. The Palacio Nacional that we see today is almost an identical twin of its old self except for the building's ornately-decorated topmost floor that was added in the late 1920s. The structure's interiors are even more impressive; housing a spectacular selection of vivid and figurative murals by Diego Rivera. While his collection of murals is enormous, the "Epic of the Mexican People" mural is by far the Palacio's centerpiece which manages to artistically condense nearly two thousand years worth of history onto the space of an enormous wall. The palace also houses a small museum dedicated to Benito Juárez and the Mexican Congress and is also where the National Archives and Federal Treasury offices are located.
The 27 halls comprising this 18th Century colonial palace offer an insight into the urban development of the city of Mexico through maps, paintings and photographs on exhibit. The room on the upper level displays murals painted by the Mexican painter Joaquín Claussel. Among the many highlights found here is a large wooden door of intricate carved detail, including the coat of arms belonging to the Counts of Santiago de Calimaya. A presumably pre-Hispanic serpent's head, fashioned in a large stone, juts out from the building towards the corner of República del Salvador.
In 1519, when the first Spaniards marched into the city of Tenochtitlán, it was the heart of the Aztec Empire. Founded on a lake island in 1325, the city was the nerve center of political and economic control of an extensive area of the Americas. More than 200,000 people lived in an urban area measuring almost 15 square kilometers (5 square miles), which included approximately 80 civil and religious buildings. The most important of these was the Templo Mayor, or Main Temple, on the crest of which were found two shrines; one dedicated to the god of war Huitzilopochtli and the other to the rain god Tláloc. Today, one can still see the temple's pyramidal base, enlarged seven times in 200 years. To one side of the site is the Casa de Caballeros Aguila, or the House of the Men-Eagle, which once housed an ancient order of elite warriors. A museum, called Museo del Templo Mayor, dedicated to the temple was set up in 1987 to preserve and showcase the findings from archaeological sites of the shrine and around the main square. The four-story building inside the complex was designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázque and comprises of artifacts such as the stone disk of Coyolxauhqui, urns, musical instruments and knives.
The Fábrica de Artes y Oficios Oriente, better known as the FARO Oriente is a contemporary art space located in the city of Mexico. This place mainly serves as a cultural and training center for the underprivileged population of the city and the areas around it and aims to empower them by teaching them skills, so that they do not stray down the wrong path. Most workshops at the center are free and are related to writing, dancing, painting, sculpting, photography and many more.
Granja Las Américas basically means farms of America, it is a novel concept for the entertainment of the entire family. Not only entertainment but the whole family together can equip themselves with some learning and experience of the farm life. Children can enjoy with more than 150 animals of 15 different species, can learn planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables, and also produce some of the products they consume daily, such as milk, yogurt, tortillas, etc. Live a life like a farmer and have fun.