No matter your purpose for visiting Mexico – from learning more about its pre-Hispanic civilizations or admiring its architecture during Spanish colonial periods to exploring incredible monuments and landmarks – there are countless incredible monuments and landmarks worth seeing.
El Tajin is an extraordinary series of ancient ruins in the northern jungle near Papantla that offers visitors the opportunity for further exploration and discovery. This peaceful location allows you to fully immerse yourself in this experience.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula
The Great Pyramid of Cholula may be the world’s largest pyramid by volume, but its discovery was only confirmed in the early 1900s as its surrounding soil began to erode away, disguising it as an unassuming hill.
The initial pyramid on this site was constructed by the Toltecs and dedicated to their gods, then used by Aztecs who concealed it behind temples. Today its early levels can still be seen, including one of the world’s largest pre-Columbian murals known as Mural of Drinkers.
As soon as the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, they constructed the Nuestra Senora de los Remedios church atop of its pyramid. Today visitors can explore its many tunnels and admire its layers.
Monumento de la Revolucion
Monumento de la Revolucion is one of Mexico’s most prominent historical landmarks, not only serving to commemorate its revolution but also hosting tombs for several key figures from it.
The tower, crowned with an elaborately designed lion and containing burial sites of many revolutionary heroes, stands as a testament to Mexico’s painful yet multicultural past. Offering panoramic city views from its observation deck, this must-see landmark will provide visitors with an engaging glimpse of this captivating country’s past and present.
National Palace of Mexico
National Palace of Mexico stands out from government offices by being open as tourist attractions. As the current seat of Mexican federal government, this palace was constructed following Moctezuma’s palace. After the1521 defeat of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma’s in Tenochtitlan ( Mexico City’s predecessor), it became the residence for Nueva Espana viceroys until Mexican independence was achieved in 1821.
Visitors entering through the main baroque doorway and balcony will witness Padre Miguel Hidalgo ringing the Campana de Dolores bell to declare independence from Spain in 1810. Additionally, visitation allows visitors to witness Diego Rivera’s breathtaking second-floor murals that depict various revolutions throughout Mexican history – from Aztec era through to industrial.
Templo Mayor
The Templo Mayor was considered to be the center of Tenochtitlan, Aztec city renowned for its thriving population and vibrant economy. It dominated a precinct with up to 78 structures including Metropolitan Cathedral that was constructed following its conquest by Spain in 1521.
Priests used obsidian knives sharper than modern surgical steel to decapitate victims offered at temple bases, with women sacrifices dismembered to recreate Coyolxauhqui’s myth and their hearts held out for Huitzilopochtli to see.
The Templo Mayor was built as an architectural mountain dedicated to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli, intended to honor Tlaloc as “Mountain of Sustenance,” while also serving as a symbolic representation of Coatepetl. Coatepetl was one of Mesoamerica’s sacred mountains where Huitzilopochtl defeated chaos gods and vanquished their deities.
Palace of Lecumberri
Mexico’s rich history can be found everywhere throughout its vast terrain – from majestic pyramids and temples, beautiful murals and the bright cobalt blue home of artist Frida Kahlo. This country manages to balance both youthful energy from its central financial hub with rich heritage that spans millennia.
Since opening its doors in 1900, the Palace of Lecumberri (Palacio de Lecumberri), also known as ‘Black Palace”, soon earned a reputation as one of the harshest prisons worldwide. Within its walls were corruption, sickness and murder all too frequent.
Now the Palace serves as a museum, famed for its extensive collection of Aztec and pre-Colombian art. History lovers should definitely make time for a visit!
