Tracey A.
Yelp
Mexico City's Alameda Central has lived a long and interesting life. Established in the 1500s, this one-time Aztec marketplace should be the subject of a documentary.
During the Mexican Inquisition more than 50 people were burned at the stake here. Later, the park was fenced off and open only to nobility. Diego Rivera's mural, "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon", depicts a lot of this history, from both a historical and imagined perspective.
The park was later opened to all and rumor has it that during one festive moment in the 1800s, the water in the park's many fountains was replaced with alcohol.
The park fell into disrepair, was for a long time considered a dangerous place, but earlier this decade the place was completely refurbished. Now? It is sparkling and immaculate, and easy to mistake for a nice European park.
Staying in the historic district for half my time in Mexico City, Alameda Central was probably the place I visited most often. It's the home to numerous museums (Palacios de Bellas Artes, the museum featuring the above mentioned Rivera mural, and Laboratorio Arte Alameda). Starting on Friday morning and continuing throughout the weekend, down across Juarez from the Hilton, clothing and craft vendors set up their booths. The array of goods offered was high quality and well-priced; a great place to pick up souvenirs for yourself and friends.
The park, with its Parisian fountains, serious and whimsical sculptures, benches, and tidy landscaping is a great place to enjoy your morning coffee, watch the passers-by, and drink in the lovely atmosphere before running off to the next museum. And as you do, just think: you are now a part of this park's long and storied history.
Alameda Central is a nice outdoor respite while you're in the center of the hubbub of Mexico City. If you find yourself here, take a moment to enjoy its charms.