One of the places to go in Mexico City is Bosque de Chapultepec. An immense green area surrounded by the great metropolis has become the largest urban park in the country with many attractions.
The Aztecs considered the forest sacred. They already attended, even though it was far from the capital at the time (where the historic center is today). With the Spanish it was transformed into a nature reserve and with urban growth the forest became close to the center. Polanco is the most modern neighborhood in the city.
The forest itself is already an attraction. I went on a sunny, beautiful day, and there were a lot of people enjoying the place. And there are other attractions such as zoo, parks, fairs, theater and museums.
I went to visit the National Museum of Anthropology, the National History Museum and the forest breaks. But I didn’t arrive early, and as you need time for the museums, what I saw of the woods was just what was on the path between them. But from what I saw, it would have been nice to have stayed longer in the woods.
In the woods there is a hill whose name is Chapulin (remembered the Colorado chapulin, right?). It means grasshopper and Chapultepec means “Chapulin Hill”.
The Aztecs had buildings on the hill. But the Spanish colonizers arrived and chose to have a leisure mansion on the site. Then they decided to have the viceroys’ residence there and built Chapultepec Castle.
From this time until 1939, Chapultepec Castle had several phases and was the scene of several historical events in the country. It had periods of abandonment and was used in various ways. It housed the Military College, the Mexican astronomical observatory and was the official residence of the viceroys of Spain, the French emperor, governors and Mexican presidents. It was taken over by the Americans in the United States’ war of territorial expansion.
In 1939, the castle ceased to be the official residence of the President of the Republic and housed the National Historical Museum. And for all events, there wouldn’t be a better place to be.
It is a large building that stands out at the top of the hill. It still retains original features from the different phases of its occupation. Depending on where you look, it looks like a palace, a fortress or a castle. It has an internal French garden with an observation tower. The castle is already an attraction.
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| The fall of Juan Escutia, one of the Niños Héroes in the North American intervention. Mural by Gabriel Flores on the entrance dome |
The National History Museum occupies this space with a permanent collection, made up of works of art, furniture and other objects, which narrate the different periods in Mexico since the arrival of the colonizers. They also tell the story of the castle itself and what its interior was like when it was inhabited.
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| Mexican Revolution. Mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros. |
There are also temporary exhibitions. But it was the large murals on entire walls and ceilings that caught my attention most in the collection. I noticed that there are many murals in the city that depict historical facts. I really like.
And another attraction is the view from there. Its high-up location with balconies and balconies allows for a privileged view of the Chapultepec Forest and Mexico City itself. So I highlight the building, murals and the view.
Visit to the Museum
>> The visit takes place from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm, but you have to leave 10 minutes before.
>> When visiting the museum, take into account that it is not small, and is located on top of a hill. You will have to climb a hill. I went in the afternoon and only had a little more than an hour to visit and I thought it was rushed.
>> The ticket price is 80 pesos. Children up to 13 years old, people over 60 years old, students, teachers, retirees and disabled people are allowed entry.
>> On Sundays, Mexicans and residents of Mexico do not pay admission. This way you can have a larger audience.
>> The museum offers guided tours on specific days and times by appointment.
>> The National History Museum tells Mexico from the arrival of the colonizers, and the National Museum of Anthropology tells the history of the country in the pre-Hispanic period. I suggest visiting the Anthropology Museum first.
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| Altar to the Fatherland. Monument in the woods in honor of the Cadet heroes who defended the castle during the American invasion. |
How to get
>> The museum is located in Bosque de Chapultepec in the Polanco neighborhood. The nearest metro station is Chapultepec from line 1. The Metrobús station is Gandhi on line 7.
>> I first visited the National Museum of Anthropology. I went from the historic center to the Metrobús Museum and got off at the station Anthropology of line 7close to the entrance.
>> From the Anthropology Museum to the History Museum I walked.
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| Paseo de la Reforma. Avenue that connects the Castle to the Zócalo |
The National History Museum was part of my 4-day itinerary in Mexico City. See my complete itinerary around the country.
See where to stay in Mexico City. Travel safely with a rented car here in Brazil, it’s cheaper.
