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Published: April 9th 2007
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Plaza Zocalo government administration building
huge flag in the centre of the Plaza raised every day with pomp and ceremony. Monday City Tour
to get some idea of it´s history.-
On September 16,Taking advantage of the fact that Spain was severely handicapped under the occupation of Napoleon's army, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest of Spanish descent and progressive ideas, declared Mexico's independence from Spain in the small town of Dolores on September 16, 1810 . This act started the long war that eventually led to the official recognition of independence from Spain in 1821 and the creation of the First Mexican Empire. As with many early leaders in the movement for Mexican independence, Hidalgo was captured by opposing forces and executed.
1910 the 80-year-old DÃaz decided to hold an election to serve another term as president.he had been president since 1876 He thought he had long since eliminated any serious opposition in Mexico; however, Francisco I. Madero, an academic from a rich family, decided to run against him and quickly gathered popular support, despite DÃaz's putting Madero in jail.
When the official election results were announced, it was declared that DÃaz had won re-election almost unanimously, with Madero receiving only a few hundred votes in the entire country. This fraud by the Porfiriato was too blatant for
the public to swallow, and riots broke out. Madero prepared a document known as the Plan de San Luis PotosÃ, in which he called the Mexican people to take their weapons and fight against the government of Porfirio DÃaz on November 20, 1910. Madero managed to flee to San Antonio, Texas, where he started to prepare his overthrow of the DÃaz government. This started what is known as the Mexican Revolution
Wars continued between rival parties for the next 20years .Mexico has always been a volitile political hot spot,it actual fact it was more of a civil war.
To add to the general volitile atmophere on September 19, 1985, an earthquake measuring approximately 8.0 on the Richter scale struck Michoacán and inflicted severe damage on Mexico City. Estimates of the number of dead range from 6,500 to 30,000.
With this info I embarked on the city tour,you ride round on an open top bus through the chaotic streets of M.C. there are many fine buildings Diaz durinhis dictatorship at the turn of thecnetury was influenced greatly by European architecture and commissioned many architects from europe to build the city .The avenue called Refoma is modelled on the Champs E Lysee
a fine wide street with many trees.
However the very nature of M.C. suggests chaos going at breakneck speed and making as much noise as possible ,it has to be the noisiest city in the world and the dirtiest
Because is was built over a lake and excessive water depletion most of the ancient buildings are subsiding, some in an alarming way .
The Zocalo
This great square, called the Zocalo, evokes the place of homage and center of the world which was the heart of the ceremonial nucleus of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. The Zocalo brings together the rhythmic beating of drums, the ankle-rattles of the native dancers and the glowing incense of modern day medicine men. A point of reference, of protest, of ritual and of national celebration, by night it offers an imposing spectacle which culminates in the tumultuous popular festivities on the 15th of September (eve of Mexico's Independence Day).
The Zocalo is a massive concrete area signed with a giant flag. The former the Merchants' arcade on the west side has cafés and even a traditional hat shop!
The Cathedral and its Vestry synthesize the art of New Spain. Through its imposing sun-bathed baroque and
Monolith for the 4 most notable Presidents
You never really know if they were Dictators neoclassical facade you enter the ethereal half-light of this holy site, with its five separate naves, its chapels and its religious paintings. The Altar of Forgiveness, the sacristy, and the Altar of Kings are all outstanding. The religious ceremonies are performed with the full dignity of the Catholic faith, choirs and organs. The City's soft clay subsoil, excessive water explotation, has propitiated the gradual sinking of many buildings such as the Cathedral. Restoration works, partially visible, have prevented its collapse.
To the East side of the plaza stands the Palacio Nacional, a group of buildings erected as the seat of civil power from the days of the Viceroyalty until the present. Its interior has several patios, corridors, and stairways graced by impressive murals by Diego Rivera whose symbolism depicts, in great detail, key episodes of Mexico's history.
Well that´s enough history and culture for me from the city tour still it was very interseting .As I said earlier nearly all the old buidings throughout the city 2-3 hundred years old are on the lean
Phileas
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