Tour of Zócalo - Downtown Mexico City, Angel of Independence
~ Gordon
Our last day in Mexico City was very fun. We had a tour that talked about all kinds of interesting legends and facts. Our tour guide led us to Templo Mayor, and where the first Constitution of Mexico was written! She showed us yummy food. The tour was a perfect ending for our trip in Mexico City. Before we head off to the airport, we visited the very high Angel of Independence.
Tour of downtown Mexico City
At Zocalo
 |
| Our tour group in front of Metropolitan Cathedral |
 |
Government building
at Zocalo
|
 |
Government building at Zocalo
decorating for Independence Day
on September 16
|
 |
| Government building at far |
 |
| National Palace |
 |
| Metropolitan Cathedral on its side |
 |
Main entrance of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Main entrance of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Main entrance of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Interior of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Interior of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Interior of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Interior of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
 |
Interior of
Metropolitan Cathedral
|
Our tour group first met at the main entrance of Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo. The tour started at 11:10 am. Our tour guide explained the history of Mexico City. Did you know that Mexico City is sinking? This is because in about 1514, the Spaniards arrived and expanded Mexico City by filling soil on the lake. Now, the soft soil is sinking and so is the city! Lots of evidence shows the city is sinking, from Metropolitan Cathedral, San Francisco Church, to Palacio de Bellas Artes. There was a government building right on the opposite side of the cathedral with a pretty big sign saying Mexico. The whole city is preparing for the big day, the independent day, September 16. The celebration starts on the night before.
Templo Mayor
 |
| The model of the Great Temple at Templo Mayor |
 |
| Disc in the middle: sacrificed Goddess of the Moon |
 |
The precious disc of
Goddess of the Moon was the 1st thing
to be discovered of
the Great Temple
|
 |
Front disc:
Goddess of the Moon
Back disc:
God of the Sun
Templo Mayor museum
|
 |
God of the Sun picture
with original color
Templo Mayor museum
|
 |
Goddess of the Moon picture
with original color
|
 |
Front: House of the Eagle, Templo Mayor
Back (red building): A high school of arts. Diego Rivera painted many murals on the wall
|
Our tour guide first brought us to the Great Temple and talked about the legend of the God of the Sun and the Goddess of the Moon. It was about jealous, victory and sacrifice. The legend began with Goddess of Moon jealous Mother Earth was pregnant again. She was afraid to share the love with another person. She plan to kill the baby before his born. But right before she arrived, the baby boy was delivered. Unfortunately, it was not a baby at all. It was a full grown man. He was God of the Sun. So there was a fight between God of the Sun and Goddess of the Moon. At the end, God of the Sun killed the Goddess of the Moon. The Goddess of the Moon was sacrificed by breaking neck bone, and chopped off arms and legs. What a power from God of the Sun!
Noche de Museos
 |
| Noche de Museos |
 |
| Noche de Museos |
 |
The original face of
Angel of Independence
at Noche de Museos
|
 |
The original face of
Angel of Independence
|
 |
The original face of
Angel of Independence
|
National Archive of Medicines
 |
| At the 1st door crazy lady ordered |
 |
| National Archive of Medicines |
 |
Roof of
National Archive
of Medicines
|
 |
Tour guide telling story
of the 3 doors of
the building
|
 |
National Archive
of Medicines
|
We went to Noche de Museos, where kept the first independence angel's head. The original Angel of Independence fell off from an earthquake. The one we see now if a replacement. We also went to the National Archive of Medicines, and listened to an interesting legend about its doors. They were built for a crazy woman.
Camara de Diputados
where Constitution of Mexico was written
 |
At Camara de Diputados
where Constitution of
Mexico was written |
 |
Listen to tour guide
telling the stories
of Mexico revolution
& its constitution
At Camara de Diputados
|
 |
At Camara de Diputados
|
Senado de la Republica
 |
| At the entrance of Senado de la Republica, our tour guide telling history of Mexiho |
 |
| Our tour guide telling stories |
 |
| The building where 007 was filmed across the street of Senado de la Republia |
The tour took us to a place where the very first Mexican Constitution was written. It was very cool. Can you believe that there was a president of Mexico for only 45 minutes? There was also a president that was what the Mexican people thought the best president ever. His name was Benito Juarez. President Juarez served 5 terms of Mexico President from 1858 to 1872. We even went to a building where movie of James Bond was filmed.
The Eje Central (Lazaro Cardenas)
 |
| The Eje Central |
 |
Left: Museo Manual Tolsa
Right: Postal Palace of Mexico City
|
 |
| Museo Nacional de Arte |
Postal Palace of Mexico City at Eje Central
 |
Postal Palace of
Mexico City
|
 |
Postal Palace of
Mexico City
|
 |
Postal Palace of
Mexico City
|
 |
Postal Palace of
Mexico City
|
 |
Postal Palace of
Mexico City
|
 |
Postal Palace of
Mexico City
|
Palacio de Bellas Artes
 |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes |
 |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes |
 |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes |
 |
Stairs in front of the palace
prove evidence that
Mexico City is sinking
|
 |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes |
 |
The tallest building
of Mexico City
survived from
earthquake of 1985
|
Church of San Francisco
 |
| Church of San Francisco |
 |
| Church of San Francisco |
 |
| Church of San Francisco |
 |
| Mural of Church of San Francisco |
 |
Mural of Church
of San Francisco
|
 |
| Mural of Church of San Francisco |
Church of San Francisco & its murals
Palacio De Correos De Mexico, which also means Postal Palace of Mexico City is a must visit landmark in central historical, Mexico City. This pretty building was built in 1903, which all the supplies came from new York, even 70 cm thick metal beams! The Architect who planned this was the same as the Palacio de Bellas Artes. A military officer built it, though.
Angel of Independence
 |
| Angel of Independence |
 |
| Angel of Independence |
 |
| Angel of Independence |
 |
| Angel of Independence |
 |
| Angel of Independence |
 |
| Angel of Independence |
 |
| Goddess of Justice |
 |
| Goddess of War |
 |
| Goddess of Peace |
 |
| Goddess of Law |
The Angel of Independence was very cool. It was made of gold and the statues of goddess at the bottom are made of bronze. The statues of peace, law, war, justice. It was rebuilt in September 16, 1910. The first Angel of Independence fell off from an earthquake in 1878.
Our tour in Mexico was really fun. We got a good tour that talked about so many history of Mexico. It talked about Templo Mayor, and the first Constitution of Mexico, along with food! Our tour guide showed us giant cakes. We saw the very high independence angel, which had once lost its head. What a wonderful trip in Mexico City!
Food
 |
Cakes from
Pasteleria Ideal
|
 |
| Making sandwich |
 |
| Sandwich for lunch |
 |
| Making wrap |
 |
| Making wrap |
 |
| Wrap for dinner |
Making wrap
Going home
 |
| Picture sign for each metro stops |
 |
Taking metro
to the airport
|
 |
| Aeromexico |
 |
| Flying home |
