From the Cathedral to Bellas Artes Palace

From the ruins, we turned around and visited the Metropolitan Cathedral, rising opposite as if locked in a centuries-old standoff with the remnants of the Aztec world beneath our feet.
Built over almost 250 years on the site ofy another Aztec temple, it combines Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture into one impressive structure. Inside, among the many richly decorated chapels, I came across the Señor del Veneno ("Lord of the Poison"). According to legend, someone tried to murder a priest by poisoning the crucifix he was about to kiss, but Christ miraculously absorbed the poison instead. The darkened crucifix remains one of the cathedral's most unusual and memorable treasures.

From the cathedral, our guided tour continued along Avenida Francisco I. Madero, one of the city's vibrant pedestrian streets. As daylight faded into the golden hour, the elegant colonial façades glowed in warm amber light, providing the perfect backdrop for photos and videos. Musicians, artists and street performers added to the lively atmosphere, while we passed landmarks such as the beautiful Casa de los Azulejos, with its striking blue-and-white tiled façade, and the Torre Latinoamericana, one of Mexico City's iconic skyscrapers.

Our walk ended at the Plaza del Palacio de Bellas Artes just as the last rays of sunlight illuminated the palace's gleaming marble façade. The square is framed by an eclectic blend of architectural styles, where ornate Beaux-Arts and Art Nouveau buildings stand alongside elegant Art Deco landmarks and modern towers, reflecting the many layers of Mexico City's history.

The Palacio de Bellas Artes itself is one of the city's greatest architectural treasures. Its dazzling white marble exterior was designed in the Art Nouveau style, while its sumptuous interior embraces Art Deco. Today it is Mexico's premier venue for opera, ballet, concerts and major art exhibitions, and its walls display celebrated murals by some of the country's most renowned artists. We had already booked tickets for a performance later that week, and standing in the golden evening light, admiring the palace for the first time, I could hardly wait to return and experience its magnificent interior.Read more