| Cottonwood trees (alamos)
were planted in the late 1500s and these trees (long gone) give
park its name.
Geometric pathways are bordered by short metal fences which do
a poor job of keeping people off the grass. There is great variety
of trees here, and despite the smog, mornings are a good time to
see some of Mexico's bird life. The most spectacular of the trees
are the jacarandas which bloom with lavender flowers in February
and March.
A recent addition are the Charros, police who patrol
the park on horseback.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Mexico City's first city park was built on the grounds of an Aztec
market. Viceroy Luis de Velasco created the park in 1592, just in
front of the square of the Inquisition. Initially square, the park
was enlarged into a rectangular shape between 1766 and 1771.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sculptures were installed
as centerpieces to the park's eight fountains. The most famous monument
is the Hemiciclo (half-circle) which honors President Benito
Juárez and is located on the park's southern side, facing
Avenida Juárez. The monument was designed by Guillermo Heredia
and depicts an angel placing a laurel crown on his head. Juárez
holds the Constitution of 1857 in his hands.
In the 1860s Empress Carlotta took interest in the park and in
the late 1800s the park was spruced up with European statues and
fountains and in 1892 the park even had electric lights. During
this time the park was reserved for the aristocracy. Access was
prohibited for the 'barefoot peasants.'
The park has been so popular in Mexican folklore that many city
parks take the name 'Alameda' in homage. Besides being a pleasant
place to visit, the park features a number of monuments and museums.
BELLAS ARTES
On the eastern side of the park is the Palacio
de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), Mexico's premier opera
house. Murals and paintings by Mexicans masters are on permanent
display. The center regularly showcases orchestral performances,
folkloric dance and other events.
The building was designed by the Italian architect Adamo Boari
in 1901 but construction was not completed until after the revolution
in 1934. Bellas Artes boasts spectacular art deco interiors and
an art nouveau exterior. The weight of the building is so great
that it has been sinking a few centimeters yearly since the completion
of its construction.
LATIN AMERICA TOWER
A block east of the park at the intersection of the Eje Central
and Avenida Madero is the Torre
Latinoamericana, open daily from 9am-10pm. Great views of the
entire city are available from the observation deck on the 42nd
floor. The skyscraper was built between 1948 and 1956.
DREAM OF A SUNDAY AFTERNOON
On the western side, a museum has been especially constructed to
house the Diego Rivera mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the
Alameda, which depicts key figures from Mexican history. Programs
alternate between English and Spanish.
FRANZ MAYER
On the north side of the park is the Franz
Mayer Museum located in a eighteenth-century building facing
onto the Plaza de la Santa Veracruz. The museum showcases the collection
of Franz Mayer, a German who adopted the Mexican nationality. The
museum includes a library with a wide selection of antique and rare
books, as well as eight hundred different editions of Don Quijote
de la Mancha.
ALAMEDA PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The entire neighborhood around the park is known as the Alameda.
On the southern side, there is skyscraper. The Alameda
Park Development Project is quite ambitious. Presently the entire
park is receiving a facelift. Three blocks due south of the park
are being razed and the city government plans on developing it into
community space with public-use facilities.
ARTE POPULAR
Mexico City's Museo
de Arte Popular, Revillagigedo #11, is open Tuesday-Sunday,
10am-5pm and until 9pm on Thursdays. The museum is located one block
south of the Alameda Park. (Photos)
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