Introduction
Mexico City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with a population of more than 8 million people. It is also considered one of the largest cities in terms of land area, occupying about 1,485 square miles (3,850 km). With so many people living here and visiting year-round, it’s no surprise that there are many places to explore in this rich culture. In this article we’ll be taking you on a tour through some of Mexico City’s most important cultural sites!
The Great Pyramid of the Sun
The Great Pyramid of the Sun is an enormous Aztec pyramid in Mexico City, Mexico. At over 200 meters tall and built over a period of 20 years by thousands of laborers, it’s considered to be the largest single structure on Earth–and with good reason! The pyramid was constructed by Emperor Ahuitzotl as part of his plan to create a new capital city called Tenochtitlan (today known as Mexico City).
The construction began in 1487 CE and continued until 1502 CE; this makes it one of only two remaining pyramids built during this time period that still exist today (the other being Cholula). The pyramid underwent renovations between 1967-69 CE which included replacing its original steps with concrete ones so people could climb all four sides without needing ropes or ladders anymore.
The National Museum of Anthropology
The National Museum of Anthropology is located just south of the main plaza in Mexico City. The museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of pre-Columbian artifacts in the world, with over 130,000 pieces on display. The building itself is a work of art: a soaring pyramid covered in brightly colored murals depicting ancient cultures and civilizations that existed before Europeans arrived in America.
The museum is open every day except Mondays and public holidays (as well as during some special events), but it closes at 5 pm every day except Sunday when it stays open until 7 pm; entrance costs MXN$50 (about $3 USD) for adults and free admission for children under 12 years old who are accompanied by an adult visiting member.
The National Palace
The palace is located in the center of Mexico City, and it’s the residence of the Mexican president. It was built on a former Aztec temple that was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors in 1521. The National Palace has been rebuilt several times since then, but it still retains its original name as well as some elements from its early days as a royal residence.
Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor is a large pre-Columbian temple in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City. It was dedicated to the Aztec deity Huitzilopochtli and became one of the most important religious sites for Aztec people. The temple was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors in 1521 when they invaded Tenochtitlan, but today you can still see its ruins at one end of what is now called Zocalo Plaza (the main plaza).
The Templo Mayor was built on top of an earlier pyramid structure called Tlaltelolco which had been constructed by previous rulers.[1] Its base measured 68m x 68m,[2] with height varying between 15m and 20m depending on who you ask.[3] The site had five levels: two underground ones for worshipers, one above ground for priests and other ritualists such as flautists; then two more above that where sacrifices were made.[4]
Basilica of Guadalupe
The Basilica of Guadalupe is a Roman Catholic church located in Mexico City. It’s the most visited Catholic shrine in the world and has become an important site for pilgrimage for many Catholics. The basilica houses an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was supposedly imprinted on Juan Diego’s cloak on December 9th, 1531 by an apparition of Mary who spoke to him in Nahuatl (the language of the Aztecs). This image became popular among indigenous people as well as Spaniards living in Mexico at that time, leading to its veneration among them today.
The original structure was built over several years starting in 1656 but was destroyed by fire during riots against Spanish rule in 1794; it was rebuilt again soon after but remained unfinished until 1813 when work resumed under Mexican independence leader Vicente Guerrero who completed construction along with other improvements before dying suddenly from yellow fever during construction efforts himself!
Here are some interesting places to explore cultural history in Mexico City.
If you’re looking to explore the rich history and culture of Mexico City, there are several places that are worth visiting. The Great Pyramid of the Sun is one example; it’s one of the largest pyramids in all of Mesoamerica. It was built by order of Emperor Ahuitzotl between 1487 and 1502 CE as part of an extensive series of religious buildings called “Teotihuacan Urban Complex”.
Another interesting place to visit would be Mexico City’s National Museum of Anthropology (MNA). Located near Chapultepec Park, this museum houses artifacts from ancient civilizations across Latin America including Maya, Aztec, Olmec and Inca cultures as well as items from indigenous peoples such as Huastecs. MNA also houses an extensive library with more than 60 thousand books related to anthropology studies all over Latin America region which makes it one among most important repositories on its kind worldwide!
The Templo Mayor (“Great Temple”) was once located at center city area where today stands Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica Church–one oldest churches built during Spanish Colonial period after conquest occurred 1521 CE when Hernan Cortes took over Tenochtitlan capital city ruled by Moctezuma II emperor successor who died shortly after arrival Europeans came ashore near modern day Veracruz city port town north coast mainland South America continent facing Caribbean Sea.”
Conclusion
The city of Mexico is a rich cultural center that has been inhabited by many different groups over time. The Aztecs were one of these groups, and they built some incredible structures that are still standing today. You can learn more about the Aztec culture at places like Templo Mayor and Basilica de Guadalupe–both of which offer tours where you can see how life was lived hundreds of years ago!
