The Historic Center of Mexico City contains numerous monuments and landmarks that residents and tourists can explore and experience in a myriad of ways. With a history that dates back for centuries as well as a connection to the contemporary economy and culture of Mexico City, the area showcases what it can mean when an entire section of a city becomes a monument.
The Ruins of Tenochtitlan
What is now the historic downtown of Mexico City roughly correlates with the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which was founded around 1325. After the Spanish conquest of the city in the 1500s, the modern plaza of Mexico City was laid out, but the remains and ruins of this earlier period are viewable and accessible via many different spots across the Historic Center of Mexico City.
Over the centuries many buildings were erected, and today there are elements from the pre-Hispanic city, the Viceroy period and Mexican Independence in and throughout all of these structures. The Historic Center of Mexico City has approximately 1,500 historically important buildings including temples, museums, theaters and cultural centers. This directly led to the entire area being declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 2007.
The Historic Center of Mexico City had long served as the commercial, political and intellectual center of the city, but in the early 20th century, many people began to move elsewhere. This spurred investment that has allowed the Historic Center of Mexico City Trust to proclaim the creation of 15,000 jobs. These developments also attracted outside investment into the area, all of which have pulled both residents and tourists back to the area.
Some of the most famous and notable sites in Mexico City and even the entire country are accessible via the Historic Center of Mexico City, but this accessibility is just part of what has made it such a notable monument.
Connecting the Culture and Economy of Mexico City
The Zócalo, a.k.a. the central square has become more than a gathering place for residents and tourists and serves as the hub of the Historic Center of Mexico City. The Zócalo has become an essential stop for tours of all types, and many try to visit during festivals or concerts when the activity in the space is taken to a whole new level.
The Templo Mayor is located near the Zócalo and has become of the most important attractions in the Historic Center of Mexico City. The Museo del Templo Mayor is divided between the archeological zone and museum. They preserve the remains of the Templo Mayor in distinct and essential ways.
Alameda Park, the Paseo de la Reforma and the Monumento a la Revolucion are all located within or nearby the Historic Center of Mexico City. A famous sculpture of an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak, which became and still is the symbol of Mexico, is also located in the area. Other attractions in the area include the Museo de la Memoria, the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Museum of the City of Mexico, all of which attract crowds by the thousands. There are tours, maps and guides that allow visitors to experience all of these attractions to provide a direct and indirect economic impact for the city.
The experiences that visitors can have aren’t just limited to culture and history though. The Torre Latinoamericana is one of the best-known skyscrapers in Latin America, and it resides in the Historic Center of Mexico City. The public observation deck that starts at the 44th floor stretches across several floors, allowing visitors to get an incredible view of the entire region.
These individual monuments along with the economic activity that has become an essential element of the area have allowed the Historic Center of Mexico City to become a notable attraction in and of itself that also serves as a hub for several different types of experiences. Doing so illustrates what can happen when an area establishes an identity that leads to the creation of a much bigger legacy.
21st Century Legacy
While the origins of the Historic Center of Mexico City stretch back for centuries, active efforts to cultivate the experiences and attractions in the area have resulted in it becoming a notable monument for the contemporary city. That development has enabled a tremendous cultural and economic legacy which has and will continue to benefit the city in numerous ways.
