Historic downtown of Mexico City, UNESCO World Heritage neighborhood in Mexico City, Mexico
Historic downtown of Mexico City spreads around the central plaza called the Zócalo and includes streets lined with churches, government buildings, and residences from different centuries. The facades show columns, carved portals, and stonework shaped by indigenous and European craftsmen.
Spanish conquerors built their capital from the 16th century onward on the ruins of Tenochtitlán and used stones from demolished temples for churches and palaces. In the 20th century the district was restored and placed under international protection.
The name of the center refers to the Spanish founding over the remains of the Aztec capital, while today street vendors and musicians animate the plazas around the cathedral. In the narrow lanes, families sell traditional foods and crafts that have been made for generations.
Visitors can walk through the entire district on foot, as most sights lie within a few blocks of each other. On weekends the streets fill with more people, while weekdays allow for quieter strolls.
Under several buildings, remains of Aztec walls and canals still exist and are occasionally uncovered during renovation work. Some streets follow the old layout of Tenochtitlán, keeping the pre-Spanish city structure visible.
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