| The sheer scale of Mexico City, coupled with the affects of altitude and pollution can at first make the city seem overwhelming, however it offers such a fascinating array of Aztec, colonial and modern art and architecture that it rewards perseverance. The city is divided into districts (colonia), often indicated with ‘Col.’ at the beginning. The Centro Histórico (Historic Centre), at the heart of the city, was built on the ruins of the original Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán and is packed with fine examples of colonial architecture. At its centre is the Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, the city’s main square and political and religious focus. On two sides of the square are the Palacio Nacional (Presidential Palace), with its fine Diego Rivera murals, and the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral). Close by, the Templo Mayor (Main Temple) and the adjacent Museo del Templo Mayor are filled with the artefacts unearthed from the site of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. The Alameda Central is a leafy park in the centre of town favoured by Mexican families at the weekend. At one end is the impressive Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), an arts centre housing some of the greatest works by Mexico’s muralists and a must-see for its Art Deco interior. Modern skyscrapers and hotels flank Paseo de la Reforma, the handsome street that runs from the Centro Histórico to the Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park). On the way is La Zona Rosa (Pink Zone), a lively neighbourhood popular for shopping, dining and nightlife. Chapultepec Park is the city’s largest park and home to many fine museums, including the Museo Nacional de Antropología (Museum of Anthropology), one of the most impressive museums of its kind in the world. |