National Palace (Distrito Federal)

 palace, museum, government, interesting place

Initiated by Cortés, the National Palace stands on the site of Montezuma’s castle. Today it is home to the offices of the President (he enters by the gate on the right), the National Archives and the Federal Treasury. Above the central gate is the bell rung by Miguel Hidalgo in 1810 (in Dolores Hidalgo) as he proclaimed his "Grito de Dolores", declaring Mexico’s independence from Spain. On the anniversary of this event, every 15th September, thousands gather in the square to hear the president repeat the words of the Grito.
detail at the Templo Mayor
Today the Palace is visited not least for the enormous murals by Diego Rivera along the walls of the interior. Passionately depicting the origins of Mexico and its struggle for independence, they read like a history book with the heroes and villains portrayed together in vivid scenes, often violent and disturbing, but very memorable. (Enlist a guide to explain the scenes and point out the characters and you’ll have an in-depth history lesson. Otherwise the ‘Blue Guide’ of Mexico has good descriptions).