Many visitors find other attractions scattered throughout the metropolitan area some historical, some symbolic of the city's everyday life, others unique to Mexico. You're sure to make discoveries of your own. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Museum of the City of Mexico
On the northeast corner of Pino Suarez and Republica de El Salvador, midway between the Zocalo and the Pino Suarez subway station, stands the magnificent town house of the Counts of Santiago de Calimaya. its foundations were laid in the 1530s, but the known history of the mansion begins in 1775 when it was totally restored by the count of that epoch.
The building is impressive because of its elegant simplicity and the excellence of its stone carving. Notice the massive stone serpent's head that once adorned the Aztec ceremonial center and is now embedded in an exterior wall of the building.
Massive Tialoc, outdoor exhibit at Anthropology Museum, represents god of rain.
In 1960 the mansion was declared a national monument and, after restoration and adaptation, it became the Museum of the City of Mexico. Ground floor salons depict the pre Hispanic history of the Valley of Mexico, from man's appearance in the Valley up to the defeat and destruction of Tenochtitlan in 1521. Second floor exhibits transport the visitor through the colonial and independence periods to present day Mexico City. From the last corridor you can look down upon an ingeniously illuminated scale model of today's metropolis. Open 9:30 A.M. to 7 P.M.; closed Monday.
Church and Hospital of Jesus. Diagonally across the street, on the southwest corner of the intersection, stands the oldest hospital in the Americas, founded by Cortez in 1524 on the spot where Emperor Montezuma greeted him upon his arrival 5 years earlier. In continuous operation since its founding, the hospital now occupies a square block with newer facilities surrounding the colonial core which is still in use. Under the terms of his will which provided financial support for the institution, Cortez stipulated that the hospital be directed by his descendants.
This stipulation was respected until the 1930s when the government took over the administration of the hospital from an unworthy scion of the family. An inexpensive health care plan for those not covered by social security and unable to pay for private insurance is now in effect. The hospital is endowed with all the latest equipment.
In the Church of Jesus Nazareno lie the remains of the conqueror, Cortez. Cortez died in Spain in 1347, leaving instructions that his body was to oe returned to Mexico 10 years later. After being moved from place to place, the remains were finally interred in the church in 1794, but hatred of the Spaniards reached such a pitch during the War for Independence that they were removed and hidden in another part of the church. Persevering historical investigators rediscovered the remains in 1946, and they are now entombed in the north wall of the sacristy. The church is open to visitors.
Garibaldi Plaza. If you're addicted to mariachi music, and the louder the better, Garibaldi Plaza is the place to find it: 6 blocks north of Madero, I block east of Santa Maria La Redonda (northward extension of San Juan de Letran), between Honduras and Peru streets. The plaza and the numerous restaurants and night spots on its perimeter were completely refurbished in 1973. Groups of musicians begin to gather there about 10 P.M., and the later it gets the more music there will be as mariachi bands that have been performing elsewhere join in the fun. Remember you pay if they play
San Juan Market. Five blocks south of Alameda Park, at Ernesto Pugibet 21, is the San Juan food market, an epicure's paradise. Its vast array of delicacies is assembled by purchasing choice produce in the capital's wholesale markets, underwriting the production of non Mexican fruits and vegetables in truck gardens near the city, and importing fine foods not available within the country. All the ingredients for international cuisine are available there, as well as the components necessary for succulent Mexican dishes. San Juan's reputation is such that the bulk of its sales are made by telephone to luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and foreign embassies.
Siqueiros Polyforurn. On the righthand side of Insurgentes Sur, on the grounds of the towering Hotel Mexico, stands the Siqueiros Polyforum, a 4 story, 12 sided exposition hall covered with the dramatic acrylic murals of David Alfaro Siqueiros. The 12 panels each illustrate one phase of the artist's theme, "Humanity's Progress on Earth and in the Universe."
The underground level offers a select display of traditional and modern handicrafts for sale including furniture, ceramics, crystal, and textiles. A glass elevator and a winding stairway lead to the ground floor and cupola. At ground level is an exposition of Mexico's urban development plans for the future. The cupola is adorned with a continuous relief painting by Siquciros that can be viewed from a revolving platform accommodating up to 1,000 persons. The Polyforum is open daily, except Tuesday, from noon to 10:30 P.M.
Many visitors find other attractions scattered throughout the metropolitan area some historical, some symbolic of the city's everyday life, others unique to Mexico. You're sure to make discoveries of your own. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
The building is impressive because of its elegant simplicity and the excellence of its stone carving. Notice the massive stone serpent's head that once adorned the Aztec ceremonial center and is now embedded in an exterior wall of the building.
This stipulation was respected until the 1930s when the government took over the administration of the hospital from an unworthy scion of the family. An inexpensive health care plan for those not covered by social security and unable to pay for private insurance is now in effect. The hospital is endowed with all the latest equipment.
Garibaldi Plaza. If you're addicted to mariachi music, and the louder the better, Garibaldi Plaza is the place to find it: 6 blocks north of Madero, I block east of Santa Maria La Redonda (northward extension of San Juan de Letran), between Honduras and Peru streets. The plaza and the numerous restaurants and night spots on its perimeter were completely refurbished in 1973. Groups of musicians begin to gather there about 10 P.M., and the later it gets the more music there will be as mariachi bands that have been performing elsewhere join in the fun. Remember you pay if they play
San Juan Market. Five blocks south of Alameda Park, at Ernesto Pugibet 21, is the San Juan food market, an epicure's paradise. Its vast array of delicacies is assembled by purchasing choice produce in the capital's wholesale markets, underwriting the production of non Mexican fruits and vegetables in truck gardens near the city, and importing fine foods not available within the country. All the ingredients for international cuisine are available there, as well as the components necessary for succulent Mexican dishes. San Juan's reputation is such that the bulk of its sales are made by telephone to luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and foreign embassies.
The underground level offers a select display of traditional and modern handicrafts for sale including furniture, ceramics, crystal, and textiles. A glass elevator and a winding stairway lead to the ground floor and cupola. At ground level is an exposition of Mexico's urban development plans for the future. The cupola is adorned with a continuous relief painting by Siquciros that can be viewed from a revolving platform accommodating up to 1,000 persons. The Polyforum is open daily, except Tuesday, from noon to 10:30 P.M.
