Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Perfect exercise
Walking is one of the healthiest exercises there is. Its benefits range from activating and strengthening the cardiovascular system to helping with insomnia and stress. Even just a 20-minute walk once a day can burn more calories than other exercises.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A home for stories
The Chapultepec Forest is a special urban space. Not only is it the stage for countless stories and monuments, but it gives the population a space with something new to discover every day when they enter its trails to walk and exercise.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Living etymology
The toponym of Chapultepec comes from the Nahuatl language: chapul (in) — grasshopper; tepe (tl) — hill or mountain. The c at the end is a suffix that refers to a place name, so it means: on the grasshopper's hill.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Sustaining history
The history of the Chapultepec Forest dates back to Mesoamerican times, when it was used as a source of sustenance thanks to its freshwater springs and fountains in contrast to the saltwater of Lake Texcoco.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Presidential project
It was back in 1910 when Porfirio Diaz inaugurated the first section of Chapultepec, under the design and leadership of Secretary of Finance José Yves Limantour. It was originally intended as a project for the capital's affluent classes.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Transforming a space
It was in 1944, when Chapultepec Castle opened as the National History Museum by decree of Lázaro Cárdenas, that the first steps in democratizing the forest were taken. This was followed by the Casa del Lago in 1959 and the Museum of Anthropology and History in 1964.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Processes of transformation
Today, this site has become a space that democratizes culture, science and, above all, sport.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Cultural steps in Chapultepec
Thousands of Mexicans visit Chapultepec using a route that crosses the forest's diverse cultural spaces, intertwining exercise and health with culture.
New spaces
The first stop on this tour is the Los Pinos Cultural Complex, which has become a community and cultural hub.
Transformative spaces
Once home to Mexico's presidents, today this site celebrates the country's cultural diversity, making room for science exhibits, poetry readings, family gatherings and picnics at the weekend.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Learning about the environment
The second stop is the Environmental Culture Center, which focuses on researching, teaching and showcasing Chapultepec's vast diversity. It offers exhibition spaces, forums and themed gardens that represent the landscapes of the Valley of Mexico.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Species conservation
The Axolotl Museum and Amphibian Conservation Center was inaugurated on National Axolotl Day on February 1, 2023.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Conservation of endemic species
The center supports the education, research and conservation of unique amphibians, helping to educate visitors about their ecosystems and life cycle.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Teaching science
The Natural History Museum, inaugurated in 1964, is a space for learning and meeting that documents and disseminates scientific knowledge of our universe.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Spaces for all
The forest, where history, nature and culture intertwine, is a space that reflects Mexico's diversity and creativity. It is accessible to all and enriched by its rich cultural heritage.
Chapultepec (2024-02-01) by Alejandro Antonio Rodríguez TorresMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Heart of the city
Chapultepec Forest is so much more than an urban oasis; it's a symbol of the nation's heritage and a space where people comes to explore, walk and exercise along its paths, building a healthy future for all.
