Capital of Mexico, like the whole country, is full of contradictions. The Mexico City agglomeration, one of the largest in the world, has an incomprehensible combination of colonial architectural monuments and slums, modern skyscrapers and quiet neighborhoods of mansions, in which any pedestrian evokes close attention private security. The cocktail of tourist experiences from Mexico City certainly includes heat, smog, street crime and heightened desire local residents sell you at least something. If you are ready to ignore such trifles, you will like Mexico City. This is a city of continuously intertwined history and modernity.
Mexico City and Tenochtitlan - two capitals
The Aztecs built their capital called Tenochtitlan in a place poorly suited for creation large city place at an altitude of more than two kilometers above sea level. The Spaniards, who came to the country of the Aztecs in the 16th century, were surprised by the hard work and skill of the indigenous people. This, however, did not stop them from razing Tenochtitlan to the ground during the suppression of the next Aztec uprising. The Europeans colonized the largest city in the world at that time with such gusto that they even destroyed the city’s critical water supply system, which had existed for hundreds of years.
However, the rationality of the development of Tenochtitlan and the care with which the city was built made such an impression on the European newcomers that the question of which city should be the capital of the General Government, and then independent countries of mexico, almost never got up. For residents of Europe, in which Madrid, 30,000 people, or Paris, 50,000 people, looked like nightmarish megacities, clean and bright Tenochtitlan seemed like a new wonder of the world. The population of the Aztec capital, according to some sources, exceeded a million people. At the same time, the city, built on a rocky island, completely supplied itself with food grown on artificial fields fertilized with algae and silt from nearby rivers and lakes. In essence, the Spaniards were able to take Tenochtitlan by storm only by depriving the city of water - Indians from the tribes conquered by the Aztecs told Hernan Cortez which dams needed to be destroyed. Restore the water supply system in in full carriers European culture It didn't work out that way.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Ten years after the founding of modern Mexico City in 1521, construction began on the main place of pilgrimage for Catholics in Latin America - the Basilica. Mother of God Guadalupe.
The main shrine of the temple, which was rebuilt several times, is the cape of a simple peasant woven from cactus fibers. He saw the Mother of God on the top of a hill, strewn with blooming roses. Only the image of the Mother of God, which appeared on the cape, helped Juan Diego convince the local Catholic bishop that he really saw her. A well-preserved cape leads scientists to a dead end - any other product made from grass would inevitably have decayed over time. Numerous studies have only shown that the image is man-made - x-ray analysis revealed traces of sketches. However, how the plant fibers could preserve themselves and preserve the colors for at least 150 years before enclosing the cape in a glass display case remains a mystery.
The priests who brought Christianity to the conquered lands did not miss the chance to take advantage of the unusual phenomenon. Under their influence, the Indians, who had previously been very reluctant to be baptized, began to convert en masse to Catholicism. And the temple, erected on the site of the appearance of the Mother of God, was rebuilt several times in order to increase its capacity. Latest version, built in 1987, seats 20 thousand people. About 15 million pilgrims visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe every year.
Place de la Concorde, the Cathedral and the largest flag of Mexico
Another popular religious shrine in Mexico City is the Cathedral of the Assumption Holy Mother of God.
The Catholic Church, whose foundation was laid by Hernán Cortés, was built from stones obtained from the destruction of the Aztec temple of Huitzilopochtli. Nowadays the remains of that church make up about one-eighth of architectural ensemble. The cathedral was built and rebuilt for quite a long time, so its architecture mixes Baroque, Renaissance and neoclassicism, but the eclecticism of the cathedral in no way detracts from its grandeur and beauty. The four facades of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary are richly decorated with statues of high priests and saints. The interiors are made in a classic manner for Catholic churches using gold, silver, ivory and precious stones.
Chapultepec Palace traces its ancestry to the Aztecs
Chapultepec Palace, like many others Mexico sights, traces its ancestry to the Aztecs. It is located on a hill on the top of which the Aztecs performed their famous sacrifices. At first, a rather simple castle was built on the hill. Then Emperor Maximilian rebuilt it into a luxurious palace, which even the presidents of Mexico did not hesitate to live in after the emperor’s execution. A garden was built on the roof of the palace, and an avenue was laid in the center of Mexico City, now considered the main street of the Mexican capital. The palace temporarily served as the building of the national observatory, the residence of Mexican presidents, and now houses the National historical museum. Its exhibitions and dioramas tell the history of Mexico from ancient times to the present day.
Artist Frida Kahlo and the “demon of revolution” Leon Trotsky
Among the more modern attractions of the Mexican capital is, of course, the Frida Kahlo House Museum. The popularity of the extravagant artist in Mexico is not much inferior to the popularity of Catholic saints. The house in which Frida Kahlo spent almost her entire life is certainly included in tourist trips around Mexico City. The respect of Mexicans and guests of the country is aroused by the courage of a woman who suffered from polio (this disease was guaranteed to lead to disability at the beginning of the last century), who fell into severe car accident, but managed, despite fate, to lead a stormy personal and social life. Compatriots respect Frida Kahlo for the reverence with which the artist treated the national cultural heritage. Indian and Aztec motifs are clearly visible in her paintings.
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Fancy weave historical events and personalities such as the construction of Catholic churches on the site of Aztec sacrifices and the veneration of Aztec rulers as the creators of the state did not end with the Middle Ages. After visiting the Frida Kahlo House Museum, visitors to Mexico City will inevitably go to the house where the greatest exile of the 20th century, Leon Trotsky, lived. One of the leaders of the Russian revolution after being expelled from Soviet Union wandered around the world for a long time until he settled in Mexico, which was strong in its communist sentiments.
At first, the “demon of revolution” was sheltered in the Blue House by the Kahlo family and communist artist Diego Rivera. For reasons unknown ( evil tongues they even talked about whirlwind romance Trotsky and Kahlo, although, most likely, the reason for the breakup was political differences), Lev Davidovich moved to a house on a nearby street. It was there that the harsh hand of Soviet justice overtook him. Despite the rather strict security regime, Mexican Ramon Mercader, who had gained Trotsky’s trust, broke his head with an ice pick on August 20, 1940, for which he later received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The Trotsky House Museum does not contain any unique exhibits related to the revolutionary’s activities. Too often he had to move from place to place and from country to country.
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But the grave of Trotsky, buried in the courtyard of his final resting place, is a very popular place for laying flowers and photographs.
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and one of the largest and most populous cities in the world - the city has the second largest population after Tokyo in the world. The city is home to 20 million inhabitants. Mexico City is also a huge city with a number of districts that include attractions, restaurants, nightlife- the city can satisfy the tastes of completely different people.
Districts of Mexico City.
The city is officially divided into 16 districts, which in turn are subdivided into neighborhoods, of which there are about 250. Many old cities, like Coyacan, San Angel and Tlalpan, have now received the status of urban districts, since they merged into Mexico City, but still each of they still retain their unique character.
Centro Historico- Where it all began. The historical center of the city, which is concentrated around Tzokalo Square - the largest square in Latin America and the second largest in the world after Moscow's Red Square.
Chapultepec - Lomas. Chapultepec is one of the largest urban parks in the world. It includes a zoo, many museums and an amusement park. Lomas is the richest in the city area near Chapultepec.
Polanco is one of the wealthiest residential areas with some of the most expensive boutiques in the city. Filled with embassies, upscale restaurants, nightclubs and hotels.
Zona Rosa- better known to tourists as "Reforma", as it includes Paseo de la Reforma, is also an important business and entertainment district. The area is also notable for its gay community.
Koyakan— the colonial city swallowed this city and turned it into an intellectual district.
Condesa and Roma- IN lately began to be reborn after decades of oblivion. Now it is a modern area with many trendy restaurants, bistros, clubs, bars and shops.
San Angel- The area's popular spots are lined with cobblestones, including upscale shops and large number restaurants. San Angel is an affluent residential area.
Xochimilco- better known for its canals - all that remains of ancient lakes. Xochimilco has maintained its ancient traditions, even despite its proximity to Mexico City.
Santa Fe- the business district of the city on the western outskirts, which consists mainly of skyscrapers around a large shopping center.
Del Valle and Narvarte is a middle class area with business and retail parts. is located in the south of the central part of the city.
Tlalpan and Pedregal- the largest of the districts of Mexico City. This area contains a volcanic mountain peak, national park, and one of the most high mountains in Mexico City.
History of Mexico City.
The origins of Mexico City date back to 1325, when the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was created and subsequently destroyed in 1521 by Spanish conquerors.
The city served as the capital of New Spain until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1810.
The city became the capital of the Mexican Empire in 1821 and Mexico in 1823 after the king's abdication.
During the Mexican-American War in 1847, troops from the American army invaded the city.
In 1864 the French invaded Mexico and french emperor Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg ruled the country with the Castillo de Chapultepeque and ordered the construction of the Paseo de la Reforma.
Porfirio Diaz, after coming to power in 1876, built many European-style buildings in the city. Díaz was overthrown in 1910 by the Mexican Revolution, and this marked the beginning of radical changes in the city's architecture.
The 20th century was characterized by the uncontrolled growth of the city beyond the historical center and the influx of thousands of immigrants from other countries. In 1968 the city hosted Olympic Games, for this purpose several sports facilities were built.
In 1985, the city suffered from an eight-magnitude earthquake. Many houses in the central neighborhoods were destroyed.
Economy.
In terms of GDP size, Mexico City is among the top 30 cities in the world. More than a third of the total Mexican economy is concentrated here.
Mexico City is the richest city in all of Latin America. Mexico City has the lowest poverty rate in Mexico. Most large local and multinational corporations keep their headquarters in Mexico City.
Climate.
In Mexico City, the weather is divided into two seasons, a dry season from November to April, and a rainy season from May to October.
The spring months are warm, while during the summer months the weather can range from warm and sunny to heavy rain, especially in the late afternoon. Autumn and winter are very cold, but with surprisingly clear skies - the sun over Mexico City has become a tradition.
Temperatures range from 0°C in late October, November, December, January and early afternoon, to 32°C in March, April and May during the midday.
Population.
With a population of over 20 million people, it can be said that it is possible to find all types of people in Mexico City, from a racial, sexual, political, cultural point of view.
The population is mainly criollo (a people of unmixed Spanish-speaking people) and mestizo (a people of Spanish and Indian mixture).
Indian peoples make up less than one percent of the city's population, but they are subject to racial discrimination and mostly live in poverty in the slums on the outskirts of the city.
There are large foreign communities in the city, such as Cubans, Spaniards, Americans, Jews, Chinese, Chileans, Lebanese, and more recently Argentines and Koreans.
Mexico City is also the temporary home of many Russians who work here for multinational companies operating in Mexico.
Mexico City is also perhaps the most liberal city in Latin America. As such, it is a generally gay-friendly city, especially in the Zona Rosa area. Civil unions and marriage for same-sex couples are legal in Mexico City.
Abortion on demand, as well as euthanasia and prostitution (only in the special "red light" area) were legalized.
Prices.
Although Mexico City is considered expensive city, the budget of your trip will depend on your lifestyle and method of travel, you can find cheap and expensive prices for almost everything. Public transport is very cheap.
On the other hand, you can find world-class service, hotels and fancy restaurants with high prices. E
the daily budget for transportation and food will be from 100 to 200 pesos per day (from 6 to 12 US dollars), if you use public transport and eat at street cafes, while a more comfortable budget would be 200 to 500 pesos per day (12 to 30 US dollars) - if you use a private taxi and eat in good places.
Language.
As in most of Mexico, Spanish is the dominant language in Mexico City. English can be spoken in this city in wealthy neighborhoods and tourist areas such as Polanco, Chapultepec and Santa Fe.
But to truly enjoy your stay in Mexico City, you should still know at least a little Spanish, since most residents are monolingual.
Taking photographs.
Photographers should keep a few things in mind. Mexico City is paranoid about tripods. You are not allowed to use a tripod in any place, be it museums, metro stations, architectural ruins, etc.
If you are seen with a tripod, you will be politely asked to still hold the camera in your hands. This big problem for professional photographers. However, you can sneak a few photos from a tripod (for example, for panorama or HDR photography) and come up with a confusing explanation every time you are stopped by the authorities to find out why.
For people who like to take photos outdoors, good place to start is the front part of Bella Artes Square. Many colorful street characters demand money before filming. All you have to do is agree - it's worth it.
Please note that some museums, such as the Museum national history in Chapultepec, they charge an additional fee for those who come with video cameras. Also, in most museums, flash photography is prohibited.
Traveling around Mexico: sights of Mexico City
The capital of Mexico is Mexico City
Mexico City, the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world, was founded by the Aztecs as Tenochtitlan on salty island Lake Texcoco in a valley of central Mexico between several volcanic hills in 1325. The conquistadors who arrived in 1519, led by Hernan Cortes were amazed by the size, beauty and orderly structure of Tenochtitlan, which, however, did not stop them from destroying the Aztec city-state and building on its ruins a new political and economic center, which over the centuries became a grandiose metropolis, where the wealth of historical and cultural heritage and traditions is combined with modern fast pace of life.
Excursion around Mexico City in Russian
Constitution Square in Mexico City. Mexico
Mexico City Historical Center
Mexico City Historical Center - object UNESCO and one of the most beautiful places in a world where every square, street and market can tell hundreds of legends about the almost 700-year existence of the city. This is where most of the attractions and most interesting museums Mexico City.Constitution Square , is the main city square, the second largest in the world, and is also considered the geographical center of Mexico.
Zocalo in Mexico City
Territory of the Zocalo Tenochtitlan also served as an administrative and religious center. In 1978, during electrical installation work near the National Palace and Cathedral Images of the Moon Goddess discovered Coyolxauqui, after which part of the building was demolished and excavations began Templo Mayor– pyramids with two temples dedicated to the god of war Huitzilopochtli and to the god of rain Tlaloc. In the 8 halls of the Templo Mayor Museum, opened in 1987, the history and culture of Tenochtitlan is presented through the example of many artifacts, including the Coyolxauqui monolith, sculptures, balls, and funerary masks.
Square of the Three Cultures in Mexico City. Mexico
Three crops area
A notable square of the historical center is Three Cultures Square, in its development demonstrating the pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern stages of development of the Mexican capital. During Aztec times this place was called Tlatelolco and served as an important market. In 1527, the conquistadors destroyed the Indian temples and trading premises and built a church on their ruins and Monastery of Santiago.
Mariachi Square
No less impressive squares of the city - Plaza Garibaldi, the standard of Mexican folk culture and mariachi music, Plaza Santo Domingo, where the palace of the Aztec emperor was located, Manuel Tolsa Square, surrounded by monumental historical buildings with a sculpture of the Spanish King Charles VI in the center, and Plaza de la Ciutadella, a meeting place for lovers of Cuban danzón.
Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City
Grasshopper Hill Chapultepec
Mexico City Sights: West of the Zocalo, where the " skyscraper avenue", Avenue Paseo de la Reforma, around the hill Chapultepec and the lake of the same name there is a vast park area - the former country residence of the Aztec emperor. The park consists of three sections, and the attractions of the first arezoo, lake with boats, House of Mirrors, alley leading to the top of the hill, interestingmuseums contemporary art , anthropology and history in.
The second part is more entertaining in nature, there are restaurants and bistros, playgrounds, fountains and exhibitions and sales. folk art. The third section is a wooded area and is less visited. Chapultepec Castle was built during the colonial period in the high point hill and in different times served as a military college, palace of the emperor Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife Charlotte, the residence of Mexican presidents, and since 1944 its premises have been occupied National Historical Museum.
Historical Museum in Mexico City
Palace of Fine Arts
The abundance of monuments and many architectural masterpieces of the colonial and republican periods gave reason to call Mexico City " city of palaces" Up close Alameda Central Park by order Porfirio Diaz To mark the 100th anniversary of Mexico's independence in 1900-1934, one of the city's remarkable buildings was built in the Italian art deco style - Castle fine arts , which combines opera house, concert halls And National Architectural Museum.
The Palace of Fine Arts has a magnificent neighbor located a block away House Tiles, or Casa Azulejos, is an elegant monument of 18th-century colonial architecture, decorated with tiles and majolica from the state of Puebla.
Mexico City's most enduring skyscraper
In 1956 in historical center Mexico City has another attraction - Torre Latino, a 44-story tall skyscraper 182 meters. An elevator takes tourists to the 37th floor, where souvenir shops and a cafeteria are located, from the windows of which a panoramic view of the capital opens. The museum premises occupy the 36th and 38th floors, and above there are restaurants and observation decks; on clear days, from here you can see not only the monuments of the metropolis, but also volcanoes Popocatepetl And Iztaccihuatl.
Coyoacan - Frida Kahlo House Museum
The character of Mexico City cannot be understood without visiting some of the neighborhoods remote from the center, marked by the history of their origin, the influence of the pre-Hispanic and colonial past, various architectural styles and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. After the conquest of Tenochtitlan, one of the first settlements founded by the Spaniards was Coyoacan, which has preserved most of the historical architecture, ancient churches and chapels and is included in southern zone capital of Mexico City (Mexico).
The attraction of this area lies in its museums and houses where such celebrities as artists and Diego Rivera, with his wife Natalia Sedova.
Culhuacan
Neighborhood Culhuacan considered the birthplace of the first Aztec leader, in addition, colorful festive celebrations are organized here, personifying the people's connection with their past. The main attractions are located on the slopes Hill of Cerro de la Estrella Monastery of San Matias and Temple of San Juan, Archaeological Museum, Divino Salvador Chapel and the first in America paper mill.
Tlalpan
Tlalpan- a picturesque area inhabited since ancient times. Its name from the Nahuatl language translates as “ land" The area is distinguished by a high concentration of religious buildings, museums, colonial buildings of streets and squares where many cultural events are held, and ecological reserves located on its territory. national parks around the hill Ahusko. Loreto Park– place of foundation ancient city Olmec site of Cuicuilco, buried under a thick layer of volcanic lava, excavations of which have been carried out since the mid-20th century.
Bright boats on the Xochimilco canal
Sights of Mexico City: Xochimilco
Xochimilco, the third largest district of Mexico City, is the capital's most visited district by tourists, popularized by its 14 colorful neighborhoods filled with the spirit of tradition, Mariachi music and flowers, countless festivals, canals and colorful punt boats called tajineras.
Channel system was created around artificial islands, or floating chinampas gardens, on which the Aztecs grew essential vegetables during the heyday of Tenochtitlan, a tradition that continues to this day. In the center of Xochimilco there is an ancient Monastery of San Bernardino, richly decorated with tiles Temple of San Juan Bautista and a market selling all sorts of snacks from crayfish and frog legs to quesadillas and barbecue lamb, as well as traditional sweets, ceramics, vegetables and flowers.
Interior of San Juan Bautista
Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, dominant of the Zocalo, built from 1573 to 1656 and reconstructed in XIX-XX centuries, its grandiose building has 15 side chapels, combines Baroque, Renaissance, Neoclassical styles and is the see of the Archbishop of Mexico City. The foundation of the temple is the uneven remains of pre-Hispanic structures, and for this reason, as well as due to the composition of the soil and the large mass, the cathedral gradually sinks into the ground. Restoration work in 1990 corrected the tilt of the towers, but the sinking process cannot be stopped. On the eastern side of Constitution Square, in the place where stood Palace of the Aztec king Montezuma II, the conquistadors built a government building called the Palacio Nacional. The interiors of this Mexico City landmark are decoratedmurals by Diego Rivera , dedicated to Mexican history, and on the esplanade in front of the palace every year on the night of September 15-16, a military parade is held in honor of the independence of the republic to the sound of a bell, which is rung by the President of Mexico.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Mexico City
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Sheboldasik and I have been living in Mexico City for a month now. During this time, we managed to acclimatize and get used to a new country for us. In the near future we will go further to explore Mexico, but for now I will share my first impressions.
First discovery: English is spoken here in much the same way as in our villages and small towns. That is, the likelihood of a situation arising when you meet at least some English-speaking person is rapidly approaching zero. The only saving grace is Sheboldasik’s linguistic abilities, who constantly acts as a translator for me. So far I can only find out what it costs and the standard “hello - thank you - goodbye.” But finally, the phrase “hasta la vista” is now associated not only with the film “Terminator 2”.
Population
People are not super-friendly, but quite pleasant. If you smile at them, they respond in kind. But, apparently, they don’t really like Americans, but they constantly mistake us for them. At the restaurant where we go for lunch, the kitchen workers at first took turns peeking out to look at us, making their own assumptions about where we came from in large numbers. The French, Finns, Germans, Americans - they had many options. In the end, the ever-giggling waitress finally asked and realized that no one had guessed correctly. "Ruso?" - she asked perplexedly a couple of times. Who the Russians are and where this Russia is in general, apparently, remains a mystery to her, and we are unknown red-haired aliens. Well, at least not by Americans.
If you cross a brave, mustachioed conquistador with the pretty daughter of an Indian chief, you get a Mexican. This is exactly how they once happened. Externally, in my opinion, the mixture turned out so-so. There are beautiful nations: the Turks are full of handsome men, and Asia has cartoonishly pretty girls. In Mexico City we beautiful people We meet somehow very rarely. At first, with my camera, I opened the hunting season for fiery Mexican women with brown eyes and languid looks, but that was not the case. I didn’t meet a single one while walking with Pocahontas around the city. I asked her opinion about men - she said it was also something so-so. I'm already completely disappointed in this matter. The other day we went to the new glamorous areas of Mexico City - it turns out that all these handsome men and beauties all live in those parts. Well, there is a chance to photograph someone.
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Sights of Mexico City,
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Neighborhoods of Mexico City |
One of the most attractive cultural and financial centers of the continent. Many businessmen strive to come here to open their own business. Thanks in part to them, the population of Mexico City is growing.
At the origins
In 1325, the Aztecs, who settled on the shores of Lake Texcoco, became the founders of the city. At that time, it was called Tenochtitlan, translated from Aztec as “city of prickly cacti.”
The city's territory was riddled with canals, dams and bridges. The Aztec houses seemed to draw strength from the depths of Lake Texcoco, they were so strong and majestic. Europeans who saw the city for the first time were struck by the beauty of Tenochtitlan, and they called it the Venice of the Aztecs, it was so similar to it. The population of Mexico City at that time was low.
When the Spaniards, led by F. Cortes, arrived in the city at the beginning of the 16th century, the Aztecs did not see any danger in the parish. Moreover, Fernand Cortes himself seemed to them to be the god Quetzalcoatl, who, according to prophecy, was supposed to come this year. Soon the Aztecs rebelled against the Spaniards, who wanted to enslave Tenochtitlan. The uninvited guests left, but not for long. Less than two years later, F. Cortes returned with an army to announce the annexation of Tenochtitlan to the Spanish crown, and proclaimed it the capital of New Spain.
Changing your usual life
Tenochtitlan ceased to exist, and in mid-1521 arose new city, named after Mehitli, the Aztec god of war. The Spaniards began to organize their life and production in new capital. They felt so free here that they even opened a printing house, and soon the first university. After this, the population of Mexico City began to grow.
Apparently, they did not have specialists capable of defeating the drainage systems established by the Aztecs, so they decided to drain Lake Texcoco. The consequences of this decision have survived to this day: the ancient houses built by the Aztecs seem to be huddled together in search of support and in the hope of protection from the giant skyscrapers.
Breath of our time
Modern Mexico City is the capital of independent Mexico and one of the largest metropolitan areas in Latin America. Huge population growth, rapid growth rates of production and development put Mexico City on a par with
The center, south and foothills make up the Federal District, the rest of the territory is included in municipal districts (there are 16 in total).
- construction;
- food;
- oil production;
- textile.
Mexico is a country where tourists strive to go. The capital is of particular interest, so tourism business here it takes far last place. The education sector also represents a fairly large number of workers. The population of Mexico City without suburbs in 2015 was 8,918,653.
It's here huge amount monumental sculpture and architectural monuments. A metropolis where representatives of different races and beliefs found shelter. Residents sacredly honor the history of their city and support its cultural and historical values. But every year it becomes more and more difficult to do this, since the population of Mexico City is growing more and more due to visitors from various countries.