The historic center of Mexico City, also called the Centro or Centro Histórico, is the main neighborhood in Mexico City. It is centered around the Zócalo, which is the largest plaza in Latin America and can hold almost 100,000 people. The area spreads out from the Zócalo in all directions, reaching as far west as the Alameda Central.

This part of the city is located in the Cuauhtémoc municipal borough. It covers more than nine kilometers and includes 668 blocks. There are 9,000 buildings in this area, with 1,550 of them recognized as historically important. Most of these buildings were built between the 16th and 20th centuries. The area is divided into two zones for preservation. Zone A includes the pre-Hispanic city and its expansion during the Viceroy period until the time of Mexico's independence. Zone B includes other buildings built before the end of the 19th century that are important for preserving the area's architecture and culture.

The Spaniards started building modern Mexico City in the 16th century on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec Empire's capital. As the center of the Aztec Empire and the seat of power for the Spanish colony of New Spain, the Centro Histórico includes many historic sites from both eras, as well as many museums. This has earned the area the status of a World Heritage Site.

History

What is now the historic downtown of Mexico City closely matches the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which was built around 1325. Before the arrival of Spanish explorers, the city was carefully planned with streets and canals aligned with the four main directions, creating neat square blocks. The city was built on an island divided into four neighborhoods, called calpullis, separated by major roads. These roads ran north to south toward Tepeyac and Iztapalapa, and west to east toward Tacuba and a dike into the lake. The calpullis were named Cuepopan, Atzacualco, Moyotla, and Zoquipan. Each had smaller sections and a "tecpan," or district council. The place where the roads crossed became the city’s center and the heart of the Aztec world. Important buildings there included the Templo Mayor, the homes of the emperors, and the homes of nobles such as the "House of the Demons" and the "House of the Flowers." Two famous schools, the Telpuchcalli for regular learning and the Calmecac for training priests, were also located there. When the Spanish arrived, the city already had aqueducts built by leaders like Moctezuma Ilhuicamina and Ahuizotl, as well as a large dike to the east.

After the Spanish conquest, much of the city’s original design stayed the same, largely because of Alonso Garcia Bravo, who oversaw much of the rebuilding. This work kept many of the main roads, such as Tenayuca (later renamed Vallejo), Tlacopan (now México Tacuba), and Tepeyac (now Calzada de los Misterios). The city’s divisions were also kept, but their names were changed to include Christian references, such as San Juan Moyotla, Santa María Tlaquechiuacan, San Sebastián Atzacualco, and San Pedro Teopan. In fact, much of the historic center was built using the broken stones from the destroyed Aztec city.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, many Spanish people gained great wealth through mining and trade. This wealth is seen in the grand homes found in the historic center, such as the Palace of Iturbide and the Casa de Azulejos (House of Tiles). The House of Tiles was built in the 16th century in an Arab style, but its famous tile decorations were added in 1747 when the Count of the Valley of Orizaba ordered tiles from Puebla.

In the early 20th century, as part of a Latin American effort led by José Vasconcelos, the minister of public education, many streets to the north and west of the Zocalo were renamed after countries in Latin America.

The Zócalo and surrounding sites

The Zócalo, or main plaza, has been a place for important cultural events throughout history. Recent events held there include a photo shoot by Spencer Tunick, the Ashes and Snow Nomadic museum, and a skateboarding/BMX event that attracted 50,000 young people on August 24, 2008. The Festival de México is an annual event that includes art and academic programs. In 2008, it was the 24th Festival, featuring 254 performances and shows from over 20 countries across 65 plazas and other locations in the city.

The Zócalo has also been a central location for national protests, such as those led by López Obrador after the 2006 presidential election and a nationwide protest against crime on August 30, 2008.

Near the Zócalo are several important buildings, including the Palacio Nacional, the Cathedral Metropolitana, the Templo Mayor with its museum, and the Nacional Monte de Piedad building. The Palacio Nacional is located on the east side of the Zócalo and houses the offices of the President of Mexico, the Federal Treasury, and the National Archives. It also contains murals showing pre-Hispanic life and a large mural depicting Mexico’s history from the time of the Spanish Conquest. This palace was built on the ruins of Moctezuma II’s palace, starting in 1521, using the same tezontle stone as the Aztec palace. It was originally owned by the Hernán Cortés family but was later purchased by the king of Spain to house viceroys of New Spain. The building was destroyed and rebuilt in 1692 and remained in use until Mexican independence.

Above a central balcony facing the Zócalo is the Campana (Bell) of Dolores, which the president rings each year on September 15 to celebrate Mexico’s Independence.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, is located at the north end of the Zócalo. This area was once part of the Aztec Sacred Precinct, called the Teocalli, and contained the tzompantli, a rack for the skulls of sacrifice victims. The first church was built between 1524 and 1532 and became a cathedral in 1530. A new cathedral was started in 1562, and its foundation stone was laid in 1573. The cathedral was first dedicated in 1656, and its neo-classical additions, designed by Manuel Tolsá, were completed in 1813. These additions were celebrated on August 15, 2013, by Cardinal Carrera, who opened the Holy Door and led a Pontifical High Mass.

Between 1989 and 2000, engineers worked to fix damage to the cathedral caused by the ground sinking unevenly. This sinking began with the draining of the lake in the Valley of Mexico, starting in 1607, and continued due to water being pumped out for Mexico City’s growing population. The last temporary supports used during repairs were removed on November 28, 2000.

The Templo Mayor archaeological site and museum is located just northeast of the Zócalo. It was destroyed by Hernán Cortés in the 1520s, and its location was forgotten until the early 20th century. Excavation began in 1978 after workers found an eight-ton stone disk showing the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui. The site revealed a pyramid built in layers, which is where the Aztecs believed they saw their sign to settle: an eagle on a cactus with a snake in its beak, still Mexico’s national symbol.

The Nacional Monte de Piedad building is a national pawn shop, founded in 1775, and one of the world’s largest second-hand shops. This site once held homes belonging to Moctezuma II, the last Aztec ruler, which Hernán Cortés took after the Conquest. These homes stretched from modern-day Isabel la Católica, Madero, Tacuba, and Monte de Piedad streets. A chronicler, Cervantes de Salazar, described the residence as not a palace but another city.

Notable sites north of the Zócalo

Santo Domingo refers to the Church of Santo Domingo and the nearby plaza. Both are located three blocks north of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral along Republica de Brasil Street, with Belisario Dominguez Street separating them. Officially called the Señor de la Expiación Chapel, the church is on the north side of Belisario Dominguez Street and faces the plaza. It is the only remaining part of the first convent established in New Spain. To the south of the church is Plaza San Domingo. The plaza is on the west side of the Portal de Evangelistas, a structure with Tuscan-style columns and round arches. People who write using typewriters and old printing machines work in this area. These writers help people who cannot read or write, often offering services similar to lawyers, counselors, and financial advisors. A statue of Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence, stands in a fountain at the center of the plaza.

The San Ildefonso College is now a museum and cultural center, considered the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement. It began as a respected Jesuit boarding school and later regained educational importance as the National Preparatory School after the Reform War. The school and building closed in 1978 and reopened as a museum and cultural center in 1994. The museum displays permanent and temporary art and archaeological exhibits, as well as murals painted by José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and others. The complex is located between San Ildefonso Street and Justo Sierra Street in the historic center of Mexico City.

• Secretaría de Educación Pública located on Calle Argentina
• Centro Cultural de España (Cultural Center of Spain), located on Republica de Guatemala Street just north of the Mexico City Cathedral
• Museum Archive of Photography, located at the corner of Republica de Guatemala and Republica de Argentina Streets
• Lirico Theatre, located on Republica de Cuba Street
• Antigua Escuela de Economía (Old School of Economics), located on Republica de Cuba Street
• Colegio Nacional, located on Luis Gonzalez Obregon Street
• Old Customs building, on Republica de Brasil just off Plaza Santo Domingo
• Palace of the Inquisition (Museum of Mexican Medicine), located on Republica de Brasil

Notable sites south of the Zócalo

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation is near the Zócalo, at the corners of Pino Suárez and Carranza Streets. It was built between 1935 and 1941 by Antonio Muñoz Garcia. Before the Spanish Conquest, this area was used for a ritual called "Dance of the Flyers," which is still performed today in Papantla. During the colonial period, ownership of the site was often disputed, and it later became the location of a large market called El Volador. Inside the building, there are four paintings created in 1941 by José Clemente Orozco. Two of these paintings are titled "The Social Labor Movement" and "National Wealth." There is also one mural by American artist George Biddle, titled "War and Peace," located at the entrance to the library.

• Temple of Saint Augustine: located on Avenida Republica de El Salvador
• Original El Palacio de Hierro store: located on Carranza and 20 de noviembre streets
• Original Liverpool department store: located on Carranza and 20 de noviembre streets
• Saint Augustine House: located on Republica de Uruguay and 5 de Febrero streets
• Chapel of the Most Holy Conception of Tlaxcoaque: one of the oldest churches in Mexico City, located on Fray Servando de Mier
• Church of San Bernardo: located near the Zócalo

Notable sites west of the Zocalo

The Palace of Iturbide is a large and fancy home located at Madero Street #17. It was built in the 18th century by the Count of San Mateo Valparaíso as a wedding gift for his daughter. The building became known as the "Palace of Iturbide" because Agustín de Iturbide lived there and accepted Mexico's first emperor title after the country gained independence from Spain. Today, the building has been restored and is used by the Fomento Cultural Banamex. It is now called the Palacio de Cultura Banamex.

The Torre Latinoamericana is one of the most famous skyscrapers in Latin America. Construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1956. It is 182 meters tall, including its antenna. The tower is located at the corner of Eje Central and Juarez Streets. Before the Torre Pemex was built, it was the tallest building in Mexico. The structure has survived two major earthquakes, one in 1957 and another in 1985.

The Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL) is the Mexican National Art Museum. It is housed in a neoclassical-style building at No. 8 Tacuba Street in the Centro neighborhood. The museum displays artwork that shows the history of Mexican art from the late pre-Hispanic era to the early 20th century. A large equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain, created by Manuel Tolsá, is a notable feature. The statue was originally placed in the Zocalo but was moved to other locations to protect it, not out of respect for the king. It was placed in its current location in 1979.

The Palacio de Correos de Mexico, also called the "Correo Mayor," is located on Eje Central (Lázaro Cárdenas) near the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It is an early 20th-century building designed in the style of an Italian Renaissance palace. The architect, Adamo Boari from Italy, also helped design part of the Palacio de Bellas Artes across the street.

• Casa de los Azulejos: A mansion covered in blue and white Puebla tile, located between Avenida Madero and Avenida Cinco de Mayo.
• Colegio de Minería: A school located on Tacuba Street.
• Mexican Army Museum: Originally the Bethlemites Hospital, now located at Tacuba and Mata streets.
• Garden of the Triple Alliance: Located at the corner of Tacuba and Mata streets.
• Cámara de Senadores: Located on Xicoténcatl Street.
• Museo de Estanquillo: A museum featuring cartoons and magazines, located at the corner of Isabel la Catolica and Madero streets.
• Temple of San Felipe Neri "La Profesa": A church with artwork from the 17th to 20th centuries. Guided tours are offered on Saturdays from 12:00 to 14:00 hours.
• Interactive Museum of Economics: Located on Tacuba Street.
• Santa Clara Church: The Library of Congress is located at the corner of Tacuba and Mata streets.
• Senate of Mexico Chambers: Located at the corner of Donceles and Xicotencatl streets.
• Chamber of Deputies: Located on Donceles Street.
• Teatro de la Ciudad: Located on Donceles Street.
• Academia Mexicana: Located at Donceles 66.

Notable sites east of the Zócalo

The Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público is an art museum located at Moneda Street #4. It is located in a building that was once the Palace of the Archbishopric, constructed in 1530 by Friar Juan de Zumárraga on the site of a destroyed Aztec pyramid dedicated to the god Tezcatlipoca. This building served as the archbishopric until 1867, when the Finance Ministry’s Accountancy Department moved there. Today, the museum displays an exhibit about Tezcatlipoca and a large collection of art.

La Santísima Church is located at the corner of La Santísima and Emiliano Zapata streets. Its full name is Temple and Hospital of the Most Holy Trinity. The church was built between 1755 and 1783 as a place of worship for a nearby hospital for priests. The church still serves its original purpose, but the hospital and offices that once stood nearby are now privately owned. Only parts of the original buildings remain. The church has also sunk about three meters since it was built.

The José Luis Cuevas Museum is located near the city’s main plaza, or Zócalo, in a building that was once a convent for the Church of Santa Inés (Agnes of Rome). The convent was founded in 1600 by Don Diego Caballero and his wife, Doña Inés de Velasco. The convent operated until 1861, when a law called the Nationalization of Church Property Act caused all convents and monasteries in the country to close. The church and residence hall of the convent were separated, and the Church of Santa Inés continues to function as a place of worship. The residence hall became private property and was later used as housing until artist José Luis Cuevas purchased it to restore and create a museum for his art and contemporary Latin American art.

The House of the First Print Shop in the Americas is located at the corner of Moneda and Licenciado Primo Verdad streets. It was the home of the first printing press in the New World. The building was originally constructed by Gerónimo de Aguilar in 1524 and is located on the edge of what was once the sacred area of the Templo Mayor before the Spanish Conquest.

• Cathedral Nuestra Señora de Balvanera and Sanctuary of San Charbel, built in the 17th century, is located at Rep Uruguay and Correo Mayor.
• Palacio de la Autonomía de UNAM (Palace of UNAM’s Autonomy) is located off Moneda Street.
• Departamento de Estadística Nacional (Dept. of National Statistics) building is located on Correo Mayor.

Around the Alameda Central

Alameda Central is a public park next to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, located between Juarez Avenue and Hidalgo Avenue. It is a green garden with walkways, decorative fountains, and statues, and often hosts community events. The area was once an Aztec marketplace. After the Spanish Conquest, the Catholic Church used the space to burn people accused of witchcraft. The park was established in 1592 when Viceroy Luis de Velasco decided to build a public green space here. The name comes from the Spanish word álamo, meaning poplar tree, which were planted in the area. By the late 1800s, the park included a bandstand and gas lamps (now electric). On the south side of the park, facing the street, is the Hemiciclo a Juárez, a large white semi-circular monument honoring Benito Juárez, one of Mexico’s most respected presidents.

• Palacio de Bellas Artes located on Juárez Street
• Teatro Hidalgo on Hidalgo Street north of Alameda Central
• Parish of Santa Cruz, Mexico City on Hidalgo Street
• Museo Nacional de la Estampa (National Print Museum) located on Hidalgo Street
• Franz Mayer Museum on Hidalgo Street
• Parish of La Santa Vera Cruz de San Juan de Dios on Hidalgo Street
• Ex Temple of Corpus Christi on Juarez Street

Barrio Chino

Mexico City's Chinatown, called "Barrio Chino" by locals, is found on two blocks of Dolores Street, just south of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It is small, containing only a few restaurants and businesses that bring goods from China. Its small size is due to most Chinese immigrants who arrived in Mexico during the late 1800s and early 1900s either marrying Mexican people or being forced to leave the country in the 1930s. Even so, it remains the main area for the about 3,000 families in the city who have Chinese heritage.

Architecture

Even though Spanish colonial buildings are the main buildings in Centro histórico, there are examples of other types of buildings.

• Baroque: Palacio de Iturbide, Casa de los Azulejos, Palacio Nacional, and Palacio de los Condes de Valparaíso
• Neoclassical: Palacio de Minería
• Italiante style: Palacio de Correos
• Art Nouveau: Palacio de Bellas Artes
• Beaux-Arts: Museo Nacional de Arte, Banco de México
• Art Deco: Banco de México, Interior of Palacio de Bellas Artes
• Functionalist: Torre Latinoamericana

20th and 21st centuries

From Aztec times, the Centro Historico was where wealthy and important people lived. However, in the early 1900s, these groups began moving to areas west and southwest of the Centro, such as Colonia Juárez, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Colonia Roma, and Colonia Condesa. The Centro remained the center for business, politics, and learning until the middle of the 20th century. Around this time, UNAM moved most of its buildings to the new Ciudad Universitaria. The decline of the city center happened partly because of human actions and partly because of natural events. In the 1940s, the city government stopped rent increases, so until 1998, tenants paid rent prices from the 1950s. Without money to maintain their buildings, landlords let their properties fall apart. The 1985 earthquake damaged many of these buildings, which were not repaired, leading to poor living conditions and empty lots. This caused about 100,000 people to leave the "Colonia Centro," making the area nearly empty at night.

By the 1980s, so many people had left the Centro that many of its old mansions were either abandoned or turned into homes for poor people. Streets and sidewalks were taken over by thieves and street sellers. For many people, especially visitors from other countries, Mexico City is known for pollution, traffic, and crime, making it a place to leave quickly, like an airport for traveling to places such as Cozumel. Until recently, many restaurants in the area closed early because it was unsafe at night.

Many historic churches in the oldest parts of the city are in serious need of repair and may be lost. Efforts to save these churches are difficult because the Church and the federal government disagree. These churches are both places of worship and historical landmarks, making their legal situation complex. Religious institutions cannot ask the government for money, but groups like CONACULTA can influence how these places are maintained because of their historical value.

Some disagreement is about how bad the damage is. CONACULTA believes none of the 68 religious buildings in the oldest part of the city are in danger of collapsing. However, the Archdiocese of Mexico says the damage is a serious risk to people and the buildings’ artistic and historical value. One church in danger is San Lorenzo Diácono y Mártir, and others like Our Lady of Loreto, La Santísima Trinidad, and La Santa Cruz need urgent work to avoid collapse. San Lorenzo and Loreto churches have had incidents where parts of the buildings, such as a stone and a window, fell, causing damage but no injuries. Despite the Archdiocese showing the damage, CONACULTA still says the buildings are not in danger. Another problem is that the emptying of the historic center leaves these churches mostly empty, making it hard for the diocese to fund repairs.

Starting in the early 2000s, the government invested 500 million Mexican pesos (US$55 million) into the Historic Center Trust and partnered with Fundación Centro Histórico, an organization started by Carlos Slim, to buy and restore many old buildings. This effort was recognized in 2006 when the Historic Center was added to the World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. Work began by improving 34 blocks north of the Zócalo, fixing old drainage systems, and improving water supplies. An architect was assigned to each of the thirteen main streets to restore the facades of more than 500 buildings. Recent projects focused on streets like República de El Salvador, Talavera, Correo Mayor, Mesones, and Pino Suárez, mostly repaving roads and fixing drainage. During these projects, artifacts from as early as the pre-Hispanic period were found.

Across the historic center, streets have been made pedestrian-only, buildings have been restored, and new museums have opened. In the 1990s, after many years of controversy and protests, most street vendors were moved to other parts of the city. Efforts to revive the area included building a new mayor’s residence near the Zócalo. The government buried electric and phone cables, replaced old asphalt with paving stones, and installed nearly 100 security cameras to reduce crime. These changes helped open upscale restaurants, bars, and stores. Young people are also moving into downtown apartments. To attract tourists, red double-decker buses now operate in the area.

As of 2004, investment in the city center reached over 5 billion pesos (438 million U.S. dollars). According to the Historic Center of Mexico City Trust, this investment created 15,000 jobs and encouraged property owners to improve their investments. It also brought outside investment to the area.

Transportation

Tour buses, called "Turibuses" in local language, are the most often used way for visitors to travel in the historic center and other parts of the city. This is a paid service that takes tourists to different places of interest and cultural spots in the city center. The Mexico City Metro is the most common way for local people to travel to the historic center. This area has many metro stations. The Zócalo is near the Zócalo/Tenochtitlan metro station. The Allende station serves the northern part of the area. Bellas Artes, Hidalgo, and Juárez stations serve the Alameda area. San Juan de Letrán, Salto del Agua, Isabel la Católica, Pino Suárez, and Merced stations serve the southern parts of the area. The Mexico City Metrobús also covers the historic center through Line 4. Another common way to travel is by taxi. These taxis are controlled by the Mexico City government and can be called using the government app "Mi Taxi." Cycle rickshaws, called "ciclotaxi" in Mexico, were once a popular way to travel in the historic center. However, their use dropped a lot in the late 2010s.