Sightseeing in Mexico City

Overview

It’s not for nothing that Mexico City is known as the “City of Palaces.” Everywhere in this sophisticated medical tourism destination, you’ll find remnants of the various conquering civilizations that left their mark here, from the Toltec and Aztec tribes, right up to the Spanish conquistadors.  There are ancient temples, pyramids, and grand churches, all interspersed with stunning modem architecture, including the Torre Mayor, the tallest building in Latin America.   

Colonial Architecture

The Metropolitan Cathedral dominates much of Zocalo Square and is considered one of the largest churches of its kind in this part of the globe.  It was built partially on the ruins of an ancient Aztec Temple, and construction took over 250 years.  This led to an intermingling of a variety of architectural styles before the church was finally complete.  In spite of this, the appearance of the Metropolitan Cathedral is one of absolute harmony.  

Throughout your time in this medical tourism center, you will be bombarded with images and statues of the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe.  To understand the reverence that Mexicans have for the Virgin in the blue mantle, head to the Basilica de Guadalupe, the shrine built on the spot where the Virgin appeared to a poor peasant named Juan Diego, in the sixteenth century. According to legend, the Virgin’s image appeared on Diego’s cloak, and proof of the apparition still hangs behind bulletproof glass inside the Basilica.  The Basilica has been renovated in recent years to accommodate the millions of devotees who arrive every year.  There is now a museum and an auditorium on site. 

Museums

The National Museum of Anthropology is spread across two floors and is regarded as one of the finest museums in the world.  The first floor covers the history of the country while the second floor showcases recordings, arts and crafts, sculptures, and other depictions that portray the lifestyle of the people in this medical tourism hub as they exist today.  

The Palacio Nacional in Zocalo Square is where the country’s President works.  It was originally built in 1563 and underwent quite a few periods of reconstruction before it achieved its present appearance. In 1929, the legendary Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, began his series of extraordinary frescoes on the walks of the palace.  These murals depict the history of the city, right from the time the Aztecs arrived here to the American invasion of Mexico City.  

Ancient Ruins

In 1978, excavations next to the Palacio Nacional revealed what had lay hidden for centuries before –the Pyramid of Huitzilopochtli.  It is believed to have been the most important religious center for the Aztecs and is also commonly known as the Templo Mayor (Great Temple).  Ultimately, the excavations resulted in the discovery of more than 6000 pieces from that period, all of which are displayed at a museum within the complex.