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Mexico City

Culture of Mexico City. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Mexico City at Night The main attraction of Mexico City is located in its suburbs. We are talking about the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Many interesting beliefs and legends are connected with this ancient city. Even nowadays its territory is full of different ruins of old buildings and places of worship. There are also two pyramids - the Sun and the Moon ones. Even nowadays the archaeological excavations do not stop near these facilities. During the excursion guides tell travelers about the unusual construction materials that have been found here by scientists. The origin and destination of many of them still remains a mystery.
One of the most prestigious, famous and creative hotels in Mexico City, Four Seasons Hotel Mexico D.F., is a regular winner of different awards, including “five diamonds” by American … Open
Perhaps, the pyramid of Quetzalcoatl is the most mysterious object of this ancient city. It is named after one of major deities of the Maya. The pyramid is surrounded by spacious terraces, on which you will see the sculptures that depict ancient gods. The city also has many notable places that are recommended for visiting. Don’t forget to visit the square of the three cultures, which is located in the heart of Mexico City. On the square you will find the houses that have been built by the Aztecs, as well as a great Catholic cathedral, which is a truly striking architectural monument of the colonial period. Paseo de la Reforma Street is a perfect place for walking. The building of this street was performed in accordance with the construction plan of the Champs Elysees in Paris.
Don’t forget to visit the ancient fortress Malinalco located on one of the highest hills. Supposedly, the fortress was built in the early 15th century. Unfortunately, only a few buildings have survived till our times. The temple known under the name "House of Eagles" is by far the most interesting building of the architectural complex. The temple, which has been carved in one of rocks, is a circular room decorated with sculptures of eagles and jaguars. Frida Kahlo Museum is a magnificent place located in one of the most beautiful historic buildings of the city. In addition to priceless paintings by the famous Mexican artist, the museum exhibits a rich collection of her personal items, including antique furniture, interior decorations and jewelry. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
The central part of Mexico is the location of one of the most stylish and attractive designer hotels - Hotel de Cortés. This boutique-hotel is open in a thoroughly restored historical … Open
Perhaps, Museum of tequila and mescal is the most unusual cultural institution of the city. The main exhibits of this museum are bottles with the popular national drink. The collection of the museum enumerates over four hundred of bottles. Among the exhibits are the bottles, which were produced in the beginning of the 19th century. Near the museum you will find a great bar where you can taste best sorts of traditional drinks.
Mexico City Cathedral Among other interesting museums, we have the Museo Nacional de Antropología, where the legendary Mayan calendar and other artifacts related to the culture of the great tribe are located. The exposition of the museum is so huge that it takes a little over a day to see all the artifacts. If we talk about museums that preserve the memory of the tragic events that occurred in the life of the capital of Mexico, then it is worth mentioning the Museo Nacional de las Intervenciones. Previously, there was a monastery situated here. The museum is dedicated to French and American interventions of 1840 and 1860. There is also the Museo De la Tortura, where, as one can understand from the title, there are torture instruments and documents of torture of one kind or another among the exhibits.
The unchangingly popular Plaza Suites Mexico City is one of the most famous elite hotels in Mexico. It is open on Paseo de la Reforma and offers a wide choice of rooms and suites, including … Open
An eerie place can be found south of Mexico City. This is about the so-called Island of the Dolls (La Isla de la Munecas). An eerie spectacle of dirty and disfigured dolls is presented to visitors. The island exists thanks to Julian Santana Barrera, a local resident who began to hang dolls, which he found in garbage cans, and the branches of trees became the habitat of those neglected things. This is how the Island of Puppets appeared. Then the idea was intercepted by locals who began to do the same. The canal is located nearby, and it is said that dolls are powered by the energy of those who drowned in this canal, which adds even more mysticism to the place.
Biblioteca Central A structure considered impressive in terms of architecture is Ciudad Universitaria, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, perhaps, there is everything for the cultural recreation of students – theaters, a library (which is the landmark of the university campus), a football club and a stadium, as well as museums. The most majestic building in the capital of Mexico is rightly considered to be Palacio Postal. Built in the beginning of the 20th century, it artfully mixes art nouveau, rococo and gothic styles, which gives a special “flavor” to the building. At present, there is a post office here, from where you can send postcards to your relatives.
Located in the immediate surroundings of Mexico City, Mex Suites Casa Azúl B&B is a true diamond for tourists who are interested in local culture and history. The hotel is open in a … Open
Another symbol of the capital of Mexico is the 42-storey Torre Latinoamericana building, from which also opens up memorable views of the city. Catedral Metropolitana, one of the largest Catholic cathedrals throughout Latin America, is definitely worth a visit. The sacred place is built from the stones of the Mayan pyramid, and some mysticism can be felt in it. Construction began in the late 16th century and ended only in the beginning of the 19th century. The interior of the building is particularly striking. In the capital of Mexico, there are several remarkable sculptural structures such as; “El Caballito”, “Campo Marte”, “Fuente de Tlaloc”, “El Ángel de la Independencia”, “Monumento a los Ninos Heroes” and “Monumentos de Chimalhuacan”.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Mexico City and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Mexico City and surroundings

Plan your own excursion through Mexico City: churches, museums and castles

Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico

» The high Catholic basilica of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary with a bell tower dates from the 16th century. It took two hundred years to construct it.
» The exterior is a mix of three architectural styles: Baroque, Renaissance, Neoclassicism.
» A tall construction made of grey stone and finished with white granite has two seventy-metre towers. It’s decorated with carved pillars and an arched entrance. The corner towers have 30 bells. The central one has a tower clock with a set of bells. Their melodious ring is repeated regularly.
» The outer side of the cathedral is decorated with the statues of patron saints and figures of apostles. Visitors are allowed inside, but they ought to observe the code of conduct accepted here.
» The interior decoration strikes with its luxury. Both walls and round pillars supporting the ceiling have elements of gilding, marble tiles, and ivory. The Altar of Forgiveness rises on the central pedestal.
» Two 18th-century organs that are the largest ones in Latin America are preserved in the cathedral. There’s a carved choir cherry in colour. The underground part has crypts with the remains of bishops who faithfully served the people. Many monarchs were crowned here.

National Palace, Mexico

» The Head of State and the Ministry of Finance have settled in the National Palace of red brick. It is located in Constitution Square (Zocalo). The building project was endorsed by the conquistador in 1692.
» The President’s study, living room and bedroom (1860) are open for visitors. The exhibition is organized here. Personal belongings of the politician are kept here too. The items displayed will tell about the establishment of the Mexican Congress.
» Museum exhibits are displayed in 19 halls. At the first level, the wall painting from the floor to the ceiling shows the city as it looked like before the Spanish conquerors had come.
» The walls of the second floor are covered with frescoes that depict the 2000-year-old history of Mexico. One of the sides of the painting depicts aborigines’ life.
» The other one shows the pictures of today’s country. The master has decorated the panels for 16 years. He expressed the stages of the state development in his pieces of art.
» There are three entrances to the palace. The first one leads to prison cells and the torture chamber. The Southern entrance that is closed for tourists leads to the President’s equipment room. The Central one leads to a comfortable patio.
» There is a fountain and a garden with special types of cactuses. The palace resembles a fortress with its exterior.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico

» In the middle of the 16th century, the peasant had a vision of the Virgin Mary. No one believed and then he brought roses that gave off a bright light as a proof. It was decided to build the cathedral on the hill, on the site of the appearance of the Virgin Mary.
» The sacred cloak of the peasant, in which the flowers were wrapped up, is kept in Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe.
» The silky fabric is very soft. Researchers couldn’t explain the preservation of the cloak of agave leaves that is aged almost 500 centuries. You can clearly see the face of the Mother of God on the cloth. The Virgin of Guadalupe is worshipped as the celestial patron of the whole city.
» The number of pilgrims (12 million every year) is rising from year to year. There are two escalators for their convenience. They move in different directions. They also take visitors to the altar, above which you can see a blue cloth in the shatterproof glass box.
» The building is adjacent to the museum. Its exposure tells about events and items of the religious cult.
» The festivity dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe that takes place in the square in front of the cathedral has become an annual tradition.
» The building has a circular layout with a diameter of 100 meters. It accommodates almost a thousand worshipers.

Chapultepec Castle, Mexico

» The Indians living here in the 8th century where the palace is located today called the hill Chapultepec, which is literally translated as “the hill of grasshoppers”.
» At its top, there is the former building of Mexican rulers of the 18th century. Over the years of its existence, Castillo de Chapultepec had served as the Emperor’s house, a military academy, and an astronomical observatory.
» Today, the national History Museum presents exhibitions about the history of ancient and modern Mexico. The interior of rooms on the ground and first floors have been preserved since the period of the Emperor’s reign. Here, you can see antique furniture and such household items, as old mirrors, tableware, and paintings.
» The Emperor’s Dining Room will impress you with the carved wooden ceiling. The hall is decorated with painted stained glass. The bathroom has remained almost unchangeable. In 19 showrooms, you can see medieval munitions, different weapons, and household items that represent historical moments of the country.
» The castle has another amazing feature: there is a botanical garden on the roof, in the open air.
» Near the building, there is an observation tower built in 1833. Near the castle, there is a parking area with a total area of 686 hectares. There are a zoo and different themed museums in its territory.

Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico

» In the historic center, there is the Palace of Fine Arts.
» When it was being built, the items dating back to the period of the Aztec Empire had been found in the ground.
» It started to be built in 1904. The construction lasted 30 years because it was hampered by the civil war.
» The outer walls are lined with white Carrara marble (the most precious type of this material). The building was projected by the Italian architect at the beginning of the 20th century. The huge construction is upheld by a steel frame. There is the sculpture of the eagle on the palace dome. It is surrounded by symbolic figurines of the goddess and the muse.
» The interior walls are decorated with historical paintings created by Mexican artists.
» There are a lot of rooms in the palace, some of which are occupied by the Opera House. Its scene is decorated with curtains made in the Workshop Tiffany. It is made of fine glass pieces. As a result, it depicts the volcano. The audience hall accommodates a thousand people.
» The building includes different themed museums, of architecture and fine arts. There are seven showrooms in the National Museum. Each of them is dedicated to a particular local artist.
» The palace is surrounded by sculptures and the park.
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Reference information
Map of all palaces
Public palaces near Mexico City
♥   Palace 'Palace of Iturbide' Mexico City, 0.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Palacio de Correos de Mexico' Mexico City, 0.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Museo Nacional del Arte' Mexico City, 0.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Palacio de Bellas Artes' Mexico City, 0.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'National Palace' Mexico City, 0.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Palace of San Lázaro' Mexico City, 2.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Castillo de Chapultepec' Mexico City, 4.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas near Mexico City
♥   Catedral Maronita de Nuestra Señora de Valvanera, Ciudad de México, 1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral de Corpus Christi, Tlalnepantla, 12.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral Jesús Señor de la Misericordia, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, 14.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral dal Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Ecatepec de Morelos, 20.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral antigua de San Cristobal, Ecatepec de Morelos, 20.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral de San Buenaventura, Cuautitlán, 26.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Texcoco, 28.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Mexico City

Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto

It will welcome its first guests in 2024. 313 rooms of various categories will be available, the interior of rooms and hotel spaces will become one of the main features of the high-class hotel. When decorating the rooms, it is planned to use local textiles, which are famous for their high quality and are considered to be one of the best in the world. Read this

19.03.2024

Photogallery of cultural heritage of Mexico City

Landmarks of culture on Mexico City map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

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Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Mexico City

Culture guide to Mexico City. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Mexico City: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Mexico City. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
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