Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Palacio Nacional
This enormous palace dominates the entire east
side of the Zócalo. Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II's
castle stood here before Cortés destroyed it and
constructed his own. The building has been
expanded several times, and today it is used by
the Mexican Government. The impressive edifice is
made of granite and tezontle , a red stone.
Top 10 Features
1 Façade
2 Epic of the Mexican People
3 Historical Murals by Diego
Rivera
4 Independence Bell
5 Benito Juárez Museo
6 Garden Patio
7 Pegasus Fountain
8 Staircase of the Empress
9 Presidential Balcony
0 Flag Ceremony
Pegasus Fountain, Palacio
Nacional
Staircase of the Empress,
Palacio Nacional
Have your photo ID
available when you
enter the door; the
guards are efficient
and may look in large
bags.
! Façade
The rooftop
restaurant of the
Hotel Majestic (see
p113) offers excellent
views of the Zócalo
and is the perfect
place to eat breakfast
and watch the flag
hoisting ceremony.
Three doors provide
access to the impressive
interior of this executive
palace. The door on the
right is for diplomatic
access only and is also the
door used by the President
of Mexico. The door to the
left was formerly used by
the Finance Department
and was dreaded by all
who had to enter to settle
their taxes. The central
door is the main entrance
and leads into a grand
central courtyard.
£ Historical Murals by
Diego Rivera
The second floor hallway
has nine murals by Rivera
painted from 1941-52. Eight
portray idealized views of
village life before Cortés
came. The ninth shows a
village after Cortés' arrival.
Map Q3
• Zócalo
Metro Zócalo
• 8am-6pm daily
Free
• Photo ID required for
admittance
@ Epic of the Mexican
People
Diego Rivera painted his
exquisitely colorful and
detailed masterpiece on
the walls of the central
staircase from 1925-35. It
provides an incredibly rich
and vibrant visual history of
the Mexican people from
pre-Hispanic times through
the Mexican Revolution.
Full of life and whimsy, the
mural captures the very
essence of the nation.
$ Independence Bell
Padre Miguel Hidalgo
rang this bell (above) in
1810, when he called for
Mexican Independence. The
bell was moved here in
1896 by Porfirio Díaz.
14
There is a tradition of ringing the Independence Bell every
September 15th, Mexican Independence Day
 
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search