Landmarks of Mexico City, Mexico

By | November 14, 2022

According to Baglib.com, Mexico City is an impressive city which houses many cultural and historical buildings and sights. Mexico City is also an important economic and political center for the country. The ancient architecture and culture is well preserved. This is mainly reflected in the impressive buildings and the many sights with a high cultural-historical value. Mexico City is known for its beautiful palaces, museums and basilicas. Originally the city was built on a lake. Yet Mexico City can call itself the highest city in the world because it is more than 2200 meters above sea level. The Centro Historico exudes a rustic atmosphere, while in Chapultepec Park you can enjoy both nature and a real zoo.

Top 10 sights of Mexico City

#1. Chapultepec

Chapultepec is a large park in the middle of Mexico City. It is located on a hill and is frequented by both tourists and locals. There is plenty to see and experience in the park. Chapultepec is home to a zoo and several museums including the National Museum of Anthropology. A visit to the park is also more than worthwhile if you want to know more about Mexican history. Chapultepec may call itself the largest park in Mexico City and is bustling with activity. During a walk through the park you can also enjoy one of the many landscaped ponds.

#2. Centro Historico

The Centro Historico is the historic and oldest center of Mexico City and consists of a neighborhood that you will find in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc. The Centro Historico embraces many old buildings. 9,000 to be precise, of which more than 1,500 have a historical predicate. Centro Historico in Mexico City is therefore on the World Heritage list for a reason. The Centro Historico consists of two parts. In one part you can see what the city looked like from the Viceroy period until independence. In the other part you can admire important buildings up to the 19th century.

#3. Plaza de la Constitution

Plaza de la Constitución in Mexico City roughly translates as Constitution Square. You will find this large square in the center of Mexico City and has a size of more than 45,000 m2. During a visit to the square, the large flag of Mexico cannot escape your eye. This is hoisted every day. The plaza is home to the Mexico City Cathedral, the National Palace as well as the Templo Mayor. During your stay at the Plaza de la Constitucion you can also visit the Museo Nacional de Culturas. Independence is also celebrated here. This happens annually on September 16 during the Grito de Dolores.

#4. Palace of Bellas Artes

The Center for Fine Arts is located near the Alameda Central in Mexico City. The Palacio de Bellas Artes is divided into various sections and floors. You will also find the Museum of Architecture here. In the palace you can admire sculptures by Leonardo Bistolfi, but the material used for the interior is also more than worth a visit. It is made of and carved from Carrara marble. In the Palacio de Bellas Artes you can also visit various exhibition spaces with murals and crystal lamps. The palace also houses a theater and various office spaces. Remarkably, the roof of the building is made of crystal. In the square that gives access to the palace.

#5. Frida Kahlo Museum

The Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City pays tribute to the artist of the same name. You can find the museum in the Colonia del Carmen district. The building is also known as the Blue House. Partly because of its bright blue exterior walls. The historical museum is the birthplace of Frida Kahlo. Here you can view various works of art by her, but also by her partner Diego Rivera. The homely Frida Kahlo Museum is still in much the same condition as it was in 1950 and consists of 10 rooms. The accompanying garden is also more than worth a visit. Here you will also find an impressive pyramid which houses objects from the pre-Hispanic period.

#6. National Museum of Anthropology

In the Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, you will find the National Museum of Anthropology. The immense museum of almost 80,000 m2 takes you back to pre-Columbian history. In the museum you can admire various well-known statues and pieces, such as the Olmec heads from Tabasco and the Aztec Stone of the Sun. Although it is a replica, you can also visit the tomb of the king of Palenque here. You will also find impressive murals by Gerardo Murillo, an artist born in 1875 who was better known as Dr. Atl. The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City also houses an exhibition about the Native American population.

#7. Museum Soumaya

The Museo Soumaya is highly recommended when you are in Mexico City. This private museum was built by the wealthy Carlos Slim, who was an avid art collector. The museum is a tribute to his deceased wife and therefore bears the same name. In the museum you can see more than 66,000 works of art from both ancient and modern artists. Some examples are Rodin, Dali and Tintoretto. The museo Soumaya was designed by architect Fernando Romero. The exterior of the museum can therefore be regarded as impressive. During your visit to the Museo Soumaya, a visit to the Madonna of the Yarnwinder should of course not be missed. This work comes from a Leonardo da Vinci student.

#8. Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe

This basilica consists of two parts and has its home on the hill of Tepeyac. Due to the many subsidence, it was decided to build a new basilica. The old building dates from 1531, while the construction of the second basilica started in 1976. The Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe is one of Mexico City’s most visited sights. Because the basilica can accommodate more than 40,000 people at the same time and because you can admire statues of Juan Diego and the first bishop of Mexico in addition to the Doric interior, the Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe has become an important place of pilgrimage.

#9. zocalo

The Zocalo is also better known as the largest square in Mexico or the Plaza de la Constitución. On and around this huge square you will find important buildings from the Aztec era such as the Templo Mayor and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The square regularly hosts events such as festivals, concerts and other festivities. Independence is also celebrated here on September 16. Around the Zocalo you will find numerous luxury clothing stores and jewelers. But, even if you want to enjoy entertainment and activity from a terrace, the Zocalo will provide you with plenty of options.

#10. Pyramid of Huitzilopochtli

The Pyramid of Huitzilopochtli is also known as the Templo Mayor and is located near Plaza de la Constitucion. The Pyramid of Huitzilopochtli was a prominent temple pyramid of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. The remains of this pyramid have subsequently been put on display in downtown Mexico City. The original pyramid contained shrines to both the war and rain gods. Namely Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. When Mexico was taken and conquered by Hernan Cortes, much of the temple went down only to reappear in 1978 during work on Zocalo Square in Mexico City.

Mexico City, Mexico