Day Seven - Mexico City, Goodbye

Time to start packing and say goodbye to our friends in Mexico City. It has been a terrific trip and we have to come back. 

Day Seven - Mexico City, Metropolitan Cathedral

The original Spanish church was torn down in 1628 while the present Metropolitan Cathedral was under construction. The Metropolitan Cathedral construction begun in 1567 and finished in 1788, and is a blend of baroque, neoclassic, and Mexican churrigueresque architecture. When Cortes and his Spanish missionaries converted the Aztec in the 16th century, they tore down their temples and used much of the stone to construct a church on the site. Nearly all of the stone from the nearby Templo Mayor was built into the cathedral. Over the centuries, the cathedral and the Sagrario (chapel) next to it have sunk into the soft lake bottom beneath. The base of the facade is far from level and straight, and when one considers the immense weight of the towers —127,000 tons — it's no surprise.

Day Six - Mexico City, Museo Frida Kahlo

The house/museum is located in Colonia del Carmen area of the Coyoacán borough of Mexico City. Coyoacán, especially the Colonia del Carmen area, has had an intellectual and vanguard reputation since the 1920s. Originally the house was the family home of Frida Kahlo, but since 1958, it has served as museum dedicated to her life and work.

Day Six - Mexico City, UNAM

UNAM is Latin America's largest university. I was interested to learn that it is also governed by it's own independent government like the Vatican in Italy. The university cost $1 per year for the qualified students. It is home to some Diego Rivera murals and other interesting buildings. 

Day Six - Mexico City, Antigua Hacienda de Tlalpan

The hacienda was built in 1837 and located in the neighborhood of Tlalpan. Today it is home to a terrific restaurant and bar. The grounds are filled with peacocks and swans. 

Day Six - Mexico City, Dolores Olmedo

Dolores Olmedo Patiño, the combative Mexican art collector who turned her hacienda into a museum devoted to paintings by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Before her death, Mrs. Olmedo amassed 137 works by Rivera and 25 by his wife, Kahlo, and for decades controlled the estates of these Mexican artists. The grounds and residence are beautiful.