Constitution Square - Plaza de la Constitución - El Zócalo This enormous paved square, occupies the site of the ceremonial center of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. Ever since the time of Emperor Moctezuma, the area was surrounded by palaces, temples and other structures. Today is the largest public square in the Western Hemisphere, and the third one in the world (after the Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing and the Red Square in Moscow). It is the main square -its formal name is Plaza de la Constitución- and forms the heart of the city ever since the Aztec rule. The word "zócalo" means base or plinth (in Spanish). The name of the square stuck after the attempt to erect a Monument to Independence, wich never was concluded. El Zócalo is used for government/political rallies, protest marches, sit-ins, concerts and other festive events too all round year. Every day at either 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM the Army has the ceremony of the raising and lowering of the Mexican flag in the center of the square. It's best view is from the roof of Catedral Metropolitana. It is so very exciting to see La Bandera de México otherwise known as the Flag Of Mexico as it flies in the Zócalo. This flag was created in 1821, when the Independence movement had ended victoriously. El Día de la Bandera or the Fiesta of the Mexican Flag is celebrated on February 24. The symbols of the flag are as follows: The emblem-shield symbolizes the Aztec heritage. According to a beautiful legend, the gods had advised the Aztecs that the place where they should establish their city was to be identified when they saw an eagle, perched on a prickly pear tree, devouring a serpent. They saw this mythical eagle on a marshy lake that is now the zócalo or main plaza in Mexico City. Green: Represents The Independence Movement. White: Represents The purity Of The Catholic faith. Red: Represents The Spaniards That Joined In The Quest For Independence. The Blood Of The National Heroes.
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We have links on this page that will connect you with several of the best hotels in Mexico City. We suggest getting a hotel and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Mexico City. If you call their Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. The very best taxi driver and guide we have found in Mexico City is Javier Hernandez Rivera. His family also attends the Basilica de Guadalupe and he can be contacted through the Holiday Inn Concierge Services at the Holiday Inn Oriente (East) or (airport). Hotel Front Desk Phone: 52-55-56400460. We have made a web page for Javier at: http://www.delange.org/Javier/Javier.htm We do this all the time, when traveling in Mexico. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way! The Mexico City International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México or AICM), also called Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA: MEX, ICAO: MMMX) is the commercial airport that serves Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is Mexico's and Latin America's busiest. Therefore, we have placed a link to Expedia.com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Mexico City; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area.
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| La Bandera de México, Constitution Square - Plaza de la Constitución - El Zócalo |
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| Constitution Square - Plaza de la Constitución - El Zócalo, Looking East Photo From Top Of Observation Tower Of Latin America Building |
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| Constitution Square - Plaza de la Constitución - El Zócalo, Looking SE |
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| Constitution Square, Looking East | Plaza de la Constitución Looking South |
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| Palacio Nacional | National Palace |
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| Distrito Federal Offices On South Side | Catedral Metropolitana On North Side |
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| Metropolitan Cathedral | Metropolitan Cathedral |
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| Distrito Federal Offices On South Side | Distrito Federal Offices On South Side |
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| Vendors Between The Zocalo And The Templo Mayor Enclosure Holds Model Templo Mayor | Vendors Between The Zocalo And The Templo Mayor Enclosure Holds Model Templo Mayor |