Tag Archives: Aztec Sun Stone

Mexico Trip: Mexico City, Part 2

Cathedral, Zocalo

Continuing on with the Mexico Trip: Mexico City. On the first full day in #CDMX my friend Jim took me to the Centro Historico, where the Catholic Cathedral is as well as the Zocalo (giant public square) and many other historical and Mexican government buildings.

I found it interesting, if not surprising, that the Cathedral was built in the same location as the Aztec temple (Templo Mayor, which is also being excavated, and you can go see those ruins). The conquistadores wanted to establish their dominance, and this was one way of many.

(Of course that is understatement. I don’t have the expertise or the space to really discuss the actual history, but hope to provide you some insight into my trip and, through the photos, how I look at things.)

Mexico City
A view of the organ at the Cathedral. Yes, it’s all crooked, your eyes do not deceive. Mexico City is sinking into the ancient lakebed – some places worse than others.

Mexico City
Another view of the organ there. Why so obsessed? I used to play the organ in church when I was a kid. Being at the controls of such volume is a little bit majestic.
Mexico City
Here’s a side view of the huge cathedral. I do love the agave garden.
Mexico City
A more traditional view of the cathedral and Zocalo in front of it. Taken from a restaurant where we went for lunch. The tan building and tents on the Zocalo are for an exhibition they were doing, making a replica of the Sistine Chapel that’s been touring the world. (Did not get a chance to see that, unfortunately.)

Museo Nacional de Antropologia

Not to be missed! One of the most regarded museums of its kind in the world, and hugely instructive for me.

I only took a few shots there, as I figured if I wanted to go back I could go online where there’d be better photos than I could ever do, but I did take several.

The Sun Stone is probably the most famous piece the museum has. It is from the end of the Aztec era and was buried during the Spanish conquest and then unearthed in 1790. For about 100 years it was displayed along the side of the Cathedral before being moved to a museum. You can read more about this astounding piece here.

Mexico City
The giant Aztec Sun Stone is the centerpiece of the museum’s collection.

I took a few other snaps of items I found intriguing there:

How I felt after walking around CDMX.
Ditto here.
This reminded me of something in a movie.
Mexico City
This is actually a reproduction outside, but I loved it.

Las Piramides de Teotihuacan

I could not visit CDMX and not go to the pyramids, though they are a short way out of the main part of Mexico City (did I say it was enormous?). Anyway, I took a tour.

It’s all quite amazing — from the barrios you have to drive through to get there, which do show you some of the ways much poorer Mexicans live, to the pyramids themselves, gigantic as well as so numerous there are still lots of edifices half-buried under dirt and plants.

In fact, when this site was “discovered” in the 19th century, the pyramids looked like oddly shaped hills with dirt and vegetation covering all. It wasn’t until they started dynamiting it that they learned it was really a group of ancient pyramids.

Quite a fascinating story and you should read about it if interested. To get you in the mood, here’s a gallery from my visit there:

Teotihuacan
Blogger in front of the Pyramid of the Sun
Teotihuacan
Closer view of that
Teotihuacan
Serpent Quetzalcoatl watching over someone snacking.
Teotihuacan
Frontal view of same Quetzalcoatl sculpture.
Teotihuacan
Closer to the base.
Teotihuacan
We were told that smaller platform in front of the pyramid was used for human sacrifices!
Teotihuacan
Another view
Teotihuacan
One of the numerous smaller structures along the Avenue of the Dead.
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan
Another view.
Jim Arnold at Teotihuacan
The blogger looking toward the Pyramid of the Moon.
Teotihuacan
Looking down the Avenue of the Dead toward the Pyramid of the Moon.

There’s an additional blog covering the rest of the Mexico Trip: Mexico City to follow.

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