Returning from Puebla to Mexico City, we spent a long, meaningful time, letting the pulsation of the metropolis completely captivate us. We crisscrossed the vast city and, as a true gastronomic adventure, tried the dishes of a different mercado, or local market, every day, enjoying the endless cavalcade of fresh ingredients and spices. One of our fondest memories is connected to the famous El Moro churrería, where we tasted the legendary churros. This place has been a landmark in the city since 1935, and the crispy, hot sweets with thick chocolate were exactly as written in the big book.
We started our sightseeing on Chapultepec Hill, the lungs and historical heart of Mexico City. This place was considered sacred even during the time of the Aztecs, and later the only real royal castle in the Americas, Chapultepec Castle, was built here. The hill’s importance is due to the fact that over the centuries it has been a royal residence, a military academy and a presidential residence, and today it houses the National History Museum, which offers breathtaking views of Reforma Avenue.
Walking around the city center, we were impressed by the white marble mass of the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) and the huge Metropolitan Cathedral, which took centuries to build on the main square. We went to the Monumento a la Revolución, which towers over the Plaza de la República. Originally intended as a parliament, it was abandoned due to the outbreak of the revolution and was later converted into a mausoleum and observation deck. Not far from it, we saw another famous symbol, the Torre Latinoamericana, a 182-meter-high metal tower. It was the first skyscraper in Latin America to survive major earthquakes and remains one of the prides of modern Mexico to this day.
We also visited the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, a true architectural jewel. The hotel originally opened as a department store in 1899 and is famous for its stunning Tiffany glass ceiling and antique wrought iron elevators. It has been featured in numerous films, including the opening scenes of the James Bond films, and its interiors evoke the atmosphere of turn-of-the-century luxury in every visitor.
Of course, we also visited the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the Christian world. According to the story, in 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to an Indian man, Juan Diego, on Tepeyac Hill, and asked him to build a church there. As proof, an image of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared on the man’s cloak (tilma), which is still preserved intact today. As the old basilica began to sink due to the soft ground, a modern, tent-like new basilica was built in the 1970s, where anyone can see the image.
The history of Mexico City began in 1325, when the Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco after a vision. According to legend, they settled there where they saw an eagle eating a snake on a cactus. The city quickly became the center of the vast Aztec Empire, with an intricate network of canals, monumental pyramids and floating gardens (chinampas), which can still be seen around Xochimilco.
The turning point came in 1521, when the Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, captured and almost completely destroyed the Aztec capital after a long siege. The capital of New Spain, Mexico City, was built on the ruins, and the stones of the pagan temples were incorporated into the walls of the cathedrals and palaces. This marked the beginning of a three-century colonial era during which the city became one of the most important cultural and political hubs of the American continent.
In the early 19th century, after the success of the War of Independence, Mexico City became the capital of the newly born republic. During this period, the city’s image changed greatly, especially under Emperor Maximilian I and then President Porfirio Díaz, who built wide boulevards, such as the Paseo de la Reforma, and neoclassical palaces based on European models. However, the splendor of the turn of the century was soon interrupted by the bloody revolution that broke out in 1910, which opened a new social and political era.
In the mid-20th century, Mexico City began an incredible growth and became a symbol of modernity. It was then that monumental university districts, skyscrapers and a metro network were built, while artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo made the city a center for mural art and bohemian life. However, the city also faced serious challenges, such as the devastating earthquake of 1985, from which the population helped rebuild their homes with unprecedented solidarity.
Today, Mexico City is one of the world’s largest and most colorful metropolises, where the pre-Columbian past, colonial heritage and futuristic present coexist. Although it struggles with problems of overpopulation and environmental impact, its cultural power, museums and vibrant nightlife continue to attract visitors like a magnet. During our trip, we also experienced that this city never sleeps, and every corner hides a new story waiting to be told.
