The Heart of History & Culture: Zócalo (Constitution Square) 🏟🔧

The absolute centerpiece of Mexico City is La Plaza de la Constitución, affectionately known as Zócalo 🏛️✨ (which literally means "central square" in Mexican Spanish). Exploring this iconic square means strolling past world-famous landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City (the largest and oldest Catholic cathedral in Latin America ), the National Palace (home to the president’s office—currently closed to visitors 🚪), the Museum of the Aztec Civilization, the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Art Palace ), and the Palacio Postal (Postal Palace 📮🏛️). This time, I focused on the Metropolitan Cathedral ⛪🔔. Admission is free, and if you time it right, you can even join a Mass! 🙏 (Pro tip: No photos allowed in the area where the priest conducts services, but everywhere else is fair game 📸🚫.) The interior is majestic, with countless statues of saints for prayer , each accompanied by detailed descriptions. Beyond prayer, the cathedral houses a souvenir shop selling sculptures, models, and jewelry at surprisingly affordable prices 💰🛍️—though most items are Catholic-themed. You’ll also spot coin-pressing machines scattered around; insert 11 pesos (a 10-peso coin + a 1-peso coin 🪙🪙), twist the wheel, and voilà—your own souvenir coin! 💸 🎫 I didn’t have change, but a kind local uncle handed me a 10-peso coin without hesitation 💖. Long story short: This cathedral is a must-see! I also passed by the Templo Mayor ruins 🏛️🔥 (now just a haunting archaeological site), wandered along pedestrian streets lined with jewelry stores, clothing boutiques, and more—this area even felt a bit like Beijing Road in Guangzhou! I peeked inside Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles), now a restaurant (you can tour it even without dining), and strolled past the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where an unexpected orange-hued dome creates a surreal spectacle 🌅. Zócalo has so much more to offer —but plan ahead! The Postal Palace, for example, closes at noon on Saturdays and stays shut on Sundays 📅⏰. Don’t make the same mistake I did… (Trust me, I learned the hard way 😅.) Catch you in the next post, amigos! #Mexico #MexicoTravel #CulturalHighlights 🌮