Located in Mexico City a top of the Chapultepec Hill, El Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) has played a major part in the country’s history. Constructed in 1785 by order of Viceroy Bernardo de Galvez, the castle began construction with Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Bambitelli as chief engineer in-charge of the blueprint. When Bambitelli left for Cuba, Captain Manuel Agustin Mascaro took over the project. Mascaro proceeded at a rapid pace, but later was accused of building a fortress with the intent of rebelling against the Spanish Crown. He died a year later with speculation of foul play. Without an engineer, Spain ordered the building to be auctioned but found no buyers. In 1806, the Chapultepec Castle was finally bought by the municipal government of Mexico City.

During the Mexican War of Independence the Castle was abandoned from 1810-1821. In 1833, the building was decreed to become Colegio Militar (Military Academy) from which a watchtower known as Caballero Alto (Tall Knight) as added to its modification.

On 1847, the castle was taken by the U.S. Marines from the defensive futile effort of the Ninos Heroes (Boy Heroes) during the Battle of Chapultepec of the Mexican-American War. The Castle started to acquire its current look when Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico established it as their Imperial residence in 1864. The Emperor hired several architects to achieve a neoclassical style of architecture and make the palace a more habitable place. After the fall of Empero Maximilian I in 1867, the castle was abandoned. Ten years later it became the Astronomical, Meteorological and Magnetic Observatory. After 5 years the observatory was moved and the castle was transformed to the presidential palace as which served eight presidents. Finally on February 3, 1939 President Lazaro Cardenas decreed a law that established Chapultepec Castle as the seat of Museo Nacional de Historia (National Museum of History).

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Perhaps one of the more popular attractions of Mexico City is the Templo Mayor, a 4-thousand square meter- temple which was built in 1325 to honor Huitzilopochtli. This immense and magnificent structure is located in the heart of the city. Long considered to be the focal point of the Aztec empire, it unearthed over 6,000 pieces of artifacts that provided the people a glimpse of the lifestyle of the ancient Aztecs.

Rich in history and culture, the Templo Mayor could satisfy any tourist’s cultural curiosity about the ancient practices and lives of the Aztecs. Walking around the temple, you would be treated to an architectural wonder. It is best to give yourself at least a whole day to roam around the site to soak in the knowledge, culture, and history that this ancient temple could impart.

The Templo Mayor is managed by the National Anthropology and History Institute (INAH).  It is open daily from 8am to 6pm.

This beautiful hotel that is modeled on a Mayan Village is halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The hotels staff will surely treat you like royalty from the moment they pick you up at the Cancun airport which is only a short 15 minutes ride. As soon as you arrive at the hotel, you can treat yourself to international cuisine and entertainment at six world-class restaurants and seven premium bars or at their award-winning spa which is by the way certified by The Leading Spas in the World to take away all your exhaustion from the travel. Also you can even take a dip to one of their 3 waterfront pools featuring exquisite Bali beds underneath luxurious oceanfront palapas.
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Viceroyalty of New Spain was the official name of Mexico and surrounding territories during the long rule of the Spanish crown. Acquired through conquest, and assimilated through religious conversions the territory was exploited mercilessly by the Spanish, receiving little benefit beyiond the rudimentary foundations of education, and a backward paradigm of givernment.

The viceroyalty existed between 1521 and 1821, or for 300 centuries. Although during this long period there were a number of revolts, on the whole Spanish rule was remarkably strong and stable. Beyond all the benefits of authoritarianism and violent rule in keeping a subjugated people under check, the role of the Catholic clergy in incorporating Nueva Espana into the territory can never be underestimated.

Spain surrendered Florida to the US, and in !821, the Mexican revolution put an end to their rule over this nation. The remains of the empire would be governed by Spain until the end of the 19th century, when the Us decisively finished of Spain’s colonial empire.

The Mixtec people inhabit the modern states of Oaxaca, Puebla and Guerrero. Their language is a branch of the Otomanguean language family.

The Mixtec are one of the ancient peoples of Mexico, and the cultures and civilizations created by them demonstrate the antiquity of their heritage. The city of Tilatongo was their ancient capital, but the ruins of thieir ancient cities are scattered across Mexican states.

At the time of the Aztecs, the Mixtec people were tributaries of the mighty Aztec war machine. However, they were never completely subdued. Later, after the Spanish conquest, they resisted their new masters ferociously, but were eventually subdued by the Spanish under Pedro de Alvarado.

The Mixtec people are famous for their artwork and codices, some of which survive to this day.

The distingushing feature of the Olmec religion was the absence of a priestly caste, or a social organization based on religion that would cause the hierarchical stratification of life. Instead, it appears that religious duties were shared by the community, and while people who specialized in religious acts existed they were not granted the excessive privileges and advantages enjoyed by others in contemporary cultures.

The Olmec people were the initiators of civilization in Central America. their religion was also the source of many of the myths and beliefs that would eventually be incorporated into the belief systems of all Mesoamerican peoples. The were-jaguar motif, the feathered serpent, the calendar system all appear to have originated with the Olmecs.

It is also well-established that the Olmecs practiced bloodletting. Many speculate the presence of human sacrifices in the Olmec hearytland, but this is not beyond controversy.

Teopantecuanitlan is an important Olmec site that is situated outside of the Olmec heartland, but is still home to many important artefacts and structures that emphasize the creativity and skills of the earliest recorded people of Mesoamerica.

The site was established in the Early to Mille Formative period of Olmec Culture, and was occupied between 1400 and 500 BCE. The greatest activity and the most prestigious period of this era was between the years 1000-800 however, when the Olmec civilizationin Teopantecuanitlan reached its peak. Usually the settlements are in the form of a central courtyard surrounded by residential bouldings. The buildings were mostly constructed of perishable materials, but reinforced by being situated on basalt foundations.

The site was only recently discovered in 1983. It is located in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Visitors there would do well to check out this important location.

Mitla is a splendid Maya ruin site that will captivate the imagination of visitors quickly with its palaces, iconography, and beautiful heritage of ancient culture. Though time has erased the power of this ancient people, their power remains alive in the magnificent beauty of their ancient creations.

The site has been i habited since 500 BCE, but large scale construction activity has been ongoing since 200 CE at the earliest. Throughout the following period, the erection of public buildings continued, aand activity lasted right up to the Spanish conquest and the establishment of the Nueva Espana province of the Spanish crown. Since then the twon has seen contiuous habitation, and while the ancient section has been settled over by the later generations, certain parts of the ancient palace, walls, and other buildings still survive.

Mitla is in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. If you plan to head over there, don’t miss this wonderful destination.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was Mexico’s president, dictator and general for many decades. His imprint on the nation’s character and history is indelible to this day, and his importance in the formational period of the Mexican identity can be compared to only a few.

Santa Anna was president of Mexico at various intervals for a total of 22 years. He was the epitome of Byzantine politics at his time. He first fought for Mexican indepndence against Spain with his compatriots, and then fought with Spain against those he disliked.

He justified his later despotism on the basis that the Mexican were not yet prepared for liberty. They were uneducated, helpless peasants dominated by the Catholic clergy, and only a progressive dictatorship would suit the needs of the Mexican people at that time, according to his declarations at various time.

Today Santa Anna is remembered as an important but controversial figure in Mexico’s early history as an independent nation.

Tlatilco is one of the earliest Olmec settlements to arise in the Valley of Mexico, in the Middle pre- Classic Era, flourishing between 1200-200 BCE. Today it is a short distance from the Mexican Federal District.

Tlatilco is famous for its many pottery pieces which display a degree of refinement and excellence of craftsmanship that is somewhat rare among other Olmec sites. The iconography of the artifacts is in line with Olmec tradition, however, in many cases, strong influences of the native tradition can be observed. This has led to different speculations about Olmec influence on other Mesoamerican cultures.

The site was first discovered by brick-makers looking for clay for their business. Many such artifacts in turn were acquired from the people by collectors, until the authorities recognized the importance of the site and excavations were begun. A large necropolis and numerous houses were uncovered, but today few traces of the latter remain.