Of course one cannot visit Mexico City without seeing the Great Square called the Zocalo. It is the nucleus of the City. National celebrations, festivals, demonstrations, artists arcade - all descend here. Its the Tiananmen Square of Mexico City.
The Zócalo is the main plaza or square in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City. The plaza used to be known simply as the “Main Square” or “Arms Square,” and today its formal name is “Constitution Square” (Plaza de la Constitución). This name does not come from any of the Mexican constitutions that have governed the country but rather from the Cádiz Constitution which was signed in Spain in 1812. However, it is almost always called the “Zócalo” today. This word literally means “base” or “plinth”. Plans were made to erect an column as a monument to Independence, but only the base, or zocalo, was ever built. The plinth was destroyed long ago but the name has lived on. Many other Mexican towns and cities, such as Oaxaca and Guadalajara, have adopted the word “zócalo” to refer to their main plazas, but not all.The center of the square stands the Mexican Flag. This flag gets raised and lowered everyday as part of the Mexican patriotic ceremony.
It has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times, having been the site of Mexica ceremonies, the swearing in of viceroys, royal proclamations, military parades, Independence ceremonies and modern religious events such as the festivals of Holy Week and Corpus Christi. It has received foreign heads of state and is the main venue for both national celebration and national protest. Link
Some years ago, this square was filled and packed with merchants and locals selling food and souveniers. Almost a flea market of sales and trade. The city has since cleaned out this area. It is now wide open for tourists and passers-by.
In the square, turn 360 - one can see all 4 sides: the Cathedral, the National Palace and the Federal District buildings (or City Hall) and the Commercial West Side (the Gran Hotel).
The Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the Americas (built between 1563 and 1813). It is still undergoing major restoration. The Catholic Faith is strong in Mexico.
The East Side stands the National Palace. This building is the seat of civil powers. The interior grace large murals of Diego Rivera.
Much of Mexico's history and culture are expressed in his drawings.
The Federal District Buildings are the Government Offices and not open to the public.
The one charm I saw at the Zocalo is during high noon - when the sun is out and blazing hot!
The Square is slowly building up with people and this is usually the ideal location to rendezvous with friends or people watch. Here is where we had scheduled to meet with a friend and tour guide.
As we stood waiting in the square, we notice one line of people standing next to the flag post.
The line was linear and stretched out.
We soon realized the people were standing in the shadow of the flagpole - to block the rays of the sun.
As the square became more populated, so did this line. It was a humorous sight. As the sun moved, so did the line of people.
As a tourist, I stood apart from the line, enjoying this sight.
