Market in the neighbourhood of Xochimilco, Mexico City, MexicoHUMAN
Ancient and modern, hectic but exciting, colorful and boisterous, Mexico City is unquestionably one of the world's great urban areas. Home to more than 9 million people, the city has been through some ups and downs but still stands as an essential destination for visitors.
A view of Templo Mayor with the skyline of Mexico City in the background by CyArkCyArk
As well as its bustling markets, teeming squares and hip neighbourhoods, the city is also home to some of the countries most iconic structures. Let's take a closer look at some of these buildings in glorious 3D.
National Palace
National Palace
Located on Mexico City's main square, the Plaza de la Constitución (also known as El Zocalo), the National Palace is the seat of the federal executive in Mexico and also serves as the official residence of the President.
The site has been used by the rulers of Mexico since the Aztec Empire. In fact, much of the current building's materials came from the original structure that belonged to Moctezuma II, the 16th century leader of the Aztec Empire before the Spanish conquest.
Castillo de Chapultepec
Castillo de Chapultepec
Located on top of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City's Chapultepec park, a sacred place for Aztec people, the Castillo has served as a military academy, presidential residence, observatory, and as the National Museum of History since the 1940s.
The name Chapultepec comes from the native Nahuatl word chapoltepēc which means 'hill of the grasshopper'. The Castillo enjoys such stunning views from its terraces that explorer James F. Elton once wrote: 'They can't be surpassed in beauty in any part of the world'.
Three more of Mexico City's most iconic buildings.
Catedral Metropolitana
Catedral Metropolitana
The cathedral is located on the northern side of the Plaza de la Constitución (El Zócalo) in the historic center of the city. It was built literally on top of the former Aztec precinct near the Templo Mayor.
Built in stages over a vast period from 1573 to 1813, the cathedral was designed around the original church constructed soon after the Spanish conquest, eventually replacing it entirely. The building was inspired by the Gothic architecture that was popular in Spain at the time.
Monumento a los Ninos Heroes
Monumento a los Niños Héroes
Located in the Chapultepec district of the city at the end of the old Paseo de la Reforma, this semicircular monument features six columns. The structures represent each of the six Niños Héroes, six Mexican military cadets who were killed in the defence of Mexico City in 1847.
The battle, which took place on 13 September 1847, was one of the last major battles of the Mexican–American War. The date is now celebrated in Mexico as a public holiday, and together with this monument, honors the sacrifice of the brave young soldiers.
Mexico is renowned for its pioneering use of architecture, as these three structures show.
Monument to the Revolution
Monument to the Revolution
Located in Plaza de la República, near to the heart of the Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida de los Insurgentes, this imposing but simple monument commemorates the Mexican Revolution.
It is the tallest triumphal arch in the world, standing at 67 metres high. It was originally planned to form part of a larger legislative building but the project was not finished due to the revolutionary wars. 25 years later it was turned into a monument to the conflict.
Aerial View of Mexico City, XIII (2006) by Pablo Lopez LuzBiennale Architettura 2016 - International Exhibition
Want to discover more about Mexico?
You can find out more about this incredible country's culture, history, art, and heritage here.
