The time to visit Mexico City is now, why? Because it is sinking! Yes it is at a rate of 20 inches per year due to the silty lake and aquifer it has been built upon. Ok, it is not going to disappear anytime soon, however in the coming 100 years, extensive damage is going to take place and there are currently few (if any) measures in place to combat the issue! So lets get into this quickly ...
Mexico City things to do
Mexico City is historically and architecturally rich and boasts the most museums of any city, in the world. It is a total amalgamation of distinct passages of history from the Aztecs to the Spanish to modern influences. It is vibrant, edgy and cool and when you are not wondering around with a map in your hand you will not be far from good music, food or art.
Some of the most famous landmarks include the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes), and the Templo Mayor archaeological site.
In this blog post we are going to discovering the best 10 architectural wonders of Mexico, learn a bit about them and hopefully convince you to add them to your itinerary during your time in Mexico City. Then once you are done here make sure you head over to our blog on the history of the trendy Roma North neighbourhood.
Discovering the Best 10 Architectural Wonders of Mexico
No.1 to 5
No.1 - Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana): Lets start with perhpas the most iconic. In the heart of Mexico City' historic centre, this grand cathedral is one of the oldest and largest in the Americas. Its construction began in the 16th century and features a blend of Spanish Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its a wonderful cathedral, but also a startling example of the subsidence of the city.
You will see a red colour stone which has been taken by the Spanish from the Aztec site which preceded it. What is really cool is you can visit this Aztec site as it is literally within stone throwing distance away.
Trivia - If you are a James Bond fan, the Zocalo (main plaza) was the site for the opening scene in spectre where James bond faces off with the Spectre assassin Marco Sciarra in a thrilling high intensity chase, climaxing in a helicopter stunt where Bond gets the better of Marco.
No.2 Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts): A personal favourite (check out the time-lapse a below) this iconic building is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture. It serves as a cultural centre hosting music, dance, theatre, and art events. The building is topped with beautiful tiled electric orange domes, make sure you do not only explore the outside, as inside is a wonderful example of art deco in its finest form. This building is relatively 'modern' being finished in 1934. Don't be fooled as the stone is largely a facade to an incredible steel sub frame hidden in the wall building ups through architectural genius.
No.3 Torre Latinoamericana: This skyscraper was once one of the tallest buildings in the world and is an important symbol of modern architecture in Mexico City. Its innovative design helped it withstand earthquakes, which are common in Mexico City. You are also able to see the effects of the modern foundation (a huge reinforced concrete raft foundation) help combat the building from sinking unlike all other buildings around it! The lift for the observation deck will take you to the museum level where you can explore the history of the construction including architectural and structural drawings, as well as physical models and photography of the construction process. Once you have got through the museum you will be please to know there is a bar at the observation deck where you can grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset.
No.4 National Palace (Palacio Nacional): Perhaps this should have been no. 2 due to its proximity to the Metropolitan Cathedral but ... If you are standing in the Zocalo (the grand Plaza in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral) and standing looking at the Cathedral, then on your right (east) you will have the National Palace in front of you. Constructed shortly after the Spanish conquest in 1522, the palace was the residence of the Spanish viceroys ruling over New Spain. Today it houses the offices of the President of Mexico. It features a mix of architectural styles, including colonial and Neoclassical, and its interior contains murals by renowned artist Diego Rivera (more about Diego below) depicting Mexico's history.
No.5 Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec): Perched on a hill in Chapultepec Park, this historic castle offers panoramic views of the city. It holds a lot of information on the history of the Mexican armed forces, including rooms dedicated to the navy. Further it deep dives into various battles and the historical significance of the castle in room by room exhibitions. The building itself (start of construction date 1785) is beautiful with some rooms used as exhibits showcasing the original furniture, arts and decor of the castle. Its a great place to spend an afternoon. The surrounding park is also good for a bit of time to relax and feel removed from the city. The architecture of the castle is Neo-romantic and has been preserved extremely well with modern adaptations not impending its original aesthetic.
Discovering the Best 10 Architectural Wonders of Mexico
No.6 to 10
No.6 The Palacio de Correos de México (Postal Palace of Mexico City): The exterior of the Postal Palace features intricate details, ornate sculptures, and a combination of different materials, such as white Carrara marble from Italy and red tezontle stone from Mexico. The central clock tower is a prominent feature and is topped with a bronze sculpture of an eagle perched on a cactus, which is a national symbol of Mexico.
Inside, the Palacio de Correos is equally impressive, with a grand central hall adorned with marble columns, stained glass windows, and a magnificent bronze and crystal chandelier. The interior design reflects the opulence and architectural trends of the early 20th century.
No.7 House of Tiles (Casa de los Azulejos): This historic building is recognised for its ornate façade covered in blue and white tiles. It was originally built in the 16th century by the Conquistador Hernán Cortés for his son. It is covered in Talavera tiles which are a type of ceramic tile with origins in Spain that are known for their geometric pattern and colour. Today the Casa de los Azulejos is owned by one of this worlds riches men Carlos Slim Heli.
No.8 The National Museum of Anthropology: (Museo Nacional de Antropología) This is one of the most prominent museums in the country and perhaps the world and deservedly so! Showcasing the rich cultural and archaeological diversity of Mexico, it has a huge courtyard with reflective pool with room after room filled with the history of Mexico, from the nomads to the formation of the Mayans and Aztecs.
Side note: Check out the "Wheres Next? Mexico", episode at the bottom of the blog post to get a deep dive into the origins of the Mayans & Aztecs.
The Museo Nacional de AAntropología was inaugurated in 1964 and is situated in Chapultepec Park, in a building designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. Make sure you carve out at least half a day to explore this museum. If history is your thing then carve out an entire day, there is a great cafe on site where you can have lunch before going back for more history. If you opt for half a day the Chapultepec Castle (above in No.1-5) is a short walk away.
No.9 Soumaya Museum: Designed by architect Fernando Romero, this contemporary museum stands out with its unique, curvaceous façade covered in thousands of hexagonal aluminum tiles. The museum houses a vast collection of art, including works by European masters and Mexican artists.
No.10 Frida Kahlo Museum: Our final top 10 choice is the Frida Kahlo Museum. This museum is an extremely popular attraction that if you do visit, you will need to book tickets ahead of time for. The exhibition for the famous and popular artist Frida Kahlo is housed in La Casa Azul (the blue house) which is where Frida was born and lived with her partner and also famous artist Diego Rivera, what a power couple!
In total contrast to the Museo de Athropologia and Soumaya, you will fine a wonderfully well maintained, understated traditional Spanish style house with courtyard spaces adorned with tall trees. Not only is the exhibit popular, the architecture is not to be underestimated, it is a great example of traditional Spanish house design.
BONUS - Quetzalcoatl's Nest
If you are after an adventure then quite a way West of the city centre you will find one of the most unusual architectural projects, perhaps in the world. Designed by Javier Senosiain, the Mexican architect who pioneered the 'organic architecture' style. Quetzalcoatl's Nest is a fantastical snake-shaped structure that includes ten separate apartments spread over 16,500 square feet.
It can be found among the lush natural ravines of Naucalpan, Mexico, before you go, Quetzalcoatl's Nest is not open to the public only residents can access the site, if you really want to check it out, you may be best booking a stay for a night or two on air BnB.
If you agree with our choices or think something else should be added to the list, let us know below, find all of our choices on the map below. Happy travels people.
The Best 10 Architectural Wonders of Mexico City On the Map.
To discover more about Mexicos, check out our podcast on the history of Mexico history below or on the podcast page now.
For the curious explorer
Your Blogger for this article was Architect, Jack Thompson.
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