The Historic Center
Among one of the largest cities in the world with a population of over 20 million people, Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis filled with everything from boutiques to sidewalk vendors. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, you can find the Historic Center of Mexico City. Originally built on top of a lake of floating islands, legend has it that the Aztecs spotted the sign that indicated this site as the very place of their future city: an eagle perched on top of a cactus, eating a snake. This has become a symbol that has been integrated into Mexican culture and, if you look closely, is also part of the Mexican flag. This area is filled with museums, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, colonial architecture and is also known for the sinking nature of some of its buildings.
Widely known among locals as the place to get everything you need at competitive and nearly wholesale prices, from bathroom fixtures to cheap books, the Historic Center offers great buys and a wide variety of activities, concerts and attractions. A huge part of the Mexico City attractions, the main plaza, the Zocalo, was built in the style typical of Spanish 17th century constructions: a main plaza flanked by a governmental building on one side and a cathedral on the other. This plaza is a large space where concerts, marathons and other events are held, as well as being the main site of one of the biggest Mexican Independence Day celebrations (September 16) in the country.
Other attractions in Mexico City also include structures such as the Torre Latinoamericana (finished in the 50s and, until just recently, was debunked as the tallest building of all of Latin America, it was also considered an architectural feat of its time) standing near the Palacio de Correos (1907), the Palacio de Bellas Artes (1904) and the Alameda (originally a 16th century construction), contrasted by the modern Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (the Department of Foreign Services) Building and the Sheraton Centro Historico Hotel, the Historic Center is teeming with points of interest. It is the epitome of a busy city in constant movement and is an ideal site for the adventurous at heart. Come and experience the Historic Center and see one of the finest displays of attractions in Mexico City.
