Mexico City’s Historic Center

It is known as Mexico City’s Historic Center, it is the architectural set where the ancient Tenochtitlán was historically settled, and afterwards hosted the administration, commerce and religious constructions of the New Spain, maintaining its character of urban center until today.

The Historic Center has an approximate area of 3.5 square miles, and hosts buildings that are vestiges of the country’s history: tens of churches, buildings and cultural spaces created expressly or that have been adapted for diverse activities.

This geographic segment gathers in itself representative stages of art and history of Mexican society. Artistic evolution can be appreciated in its buildings, such as the renaissance, neoclassical and baroque styles, all of them in different arts such as architecture, paintings, engravings, metal work and sculptures decorating public and private buildings.

As the main reference point is the Plaza de la Constitución, the Palacio Nacional and the building being used by Mexico City’s government. Its streets lead to different commerce corridors that characterize the life of its citizens. Starting from Plaza de la Constitución, the great Metropolitan Cathedral can be seen. Right beside the Cathedral is Seminario Street, which leads to many other historical sites, as the Casa del Marqués del Apartado. Through Justo Sierra Street are the Antiguo Colegio de Cristo and the Museo de la Caricatura. Continuing on Seminario and turning on Luis González Obregón, visitors can find access to the Biblioteca Iberoamericana, and reach República de Brasil, one of the places with the greatest tradition for printing and serigraphy: the Plaza de Santo Domingo. Once you are there, you can visit the Palacio de la Inquisición on República de Brasil and República de Venezuela, right beside the House of Leona Vicario. In the opposite way, on the same street, is Nacional Monte de Piedad, and in front a set of five star hotels welcoming visitors looking for comfortable accommodations with a view of Plaza de la Constitución.

Walking on Francisco I. Madero which is in front of the same Plaza, you can reach Casa de los Condes de Miravalle, or Casino Español, on República de Chile. Continuing on Francisco I. Madero also leads to Templo de la Profesa and the Casa de los Azulejos, the Edificio Guardiola and the Torre Latinoamericana. From there only one more block to reach Palacio de Bellas Artes and in front of it the Alameda Central.

Again taking as point of reference the Zócalo, you can take José María Pino Suárez for reaching the Supreme Court of Justice, Templo y Hospital de Jesús and Museo de la Ciudad de México.

Wherever you go, the streets of the Historic Center will offer you places to eat for every budget, recreation sites and culture. There are vast tourist and commercial corridors for buying all kinds of objects: clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc., providing a pleasant and fun trip.

Artículo Producido por el Equipo Editorial Explorando México.
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