Remember the name El Zócalo. It is the common name for the Plaza de la Constitución, Mexico City’s main square. This plaza has been the focal point of public gatherings since the Aztecs. It remains one of its most recognizable landmarks.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Plaza de la Constitución. It is often called the central plaza of the entire country. The Plaza de la Constitución is nicknamed El Zócalo.
The Plaza de la Constitución has seen a lot. The square has been the heart of Mexico since the Aztec times. The Spanish captured the city in 1521. They destroyed much of it. About 100,000 natives died in battle. They also died from diseases carried by the Spaniards. Today, Mexico City is one of the world’s largest cities. More than 18 million people live in the metropolitan area.
The Plaza de la Constitución got its name in 1812. It celebrated the Spanish Constitution of 1812. A huge national flag flies in the square’s center today. National events take place in the Plaza de la Constitución. These include the celebration of Mexican Independence Day and the inauguration of new presidents.
Around the Plaza de la Constitución stand important buildings. You can see the Metropolitan Cathedral. Also here are the Metropolitan Sagrario and the National Palace. Don’t miss the Supreme Court of Justice and City Hall. The Monte de Piedad building and the Gran Hotel are also here.
The Zócalo is the center of ancient Tenochtitlan. When the Spanish took the city, they kept this plaza. It became the political and religious center. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City borders the Zócalo on the north. The National Palace is to the east. It is the seat of the Federal Government. To the south is the Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento. It is the seat of the city government. To the west are private buildings. Among them are the Mercaderes building and the original Monte de Piedad. You will find restaurants and terraces here. They offer spectacular views of the city center.
The Zócalo has become the high point of Mexican culture. Photographer Spencer Tunick photographed 18,000 people here. Since 2007, a public skating rink has been set up here every winter.
Many artists have performed concerts here. Café Tacuba drew 100,000 fans. Shakira more than doubled that number. No matter when you visit, something will be happening at the Zócalo. Much of the history of the country and the city has been written here. Much more will continue to be written here.
The Plaza de la Constitución owes its name to the first Constitution enacted in Mexico. This was the Constitution of Cadiz in 1812. It is the main square and heart of Mexico. It originates from the main square of the great Tenochtitlan. In the middle of the 19th century, a column was planned. It would commemorate the Independence of Mexico. Only the base ever came to be. People began to call it “El Zócalo.” It means, the base.
The Plaza de la Constitución was the scene of receptions of Viceroys. It also held funerals of archbishops. The auto de fe of the Inquisition and civil executions by the Crown of Spain occurred here. The Plaza de la Constitución is one of the three most important city squares in the world. The others are Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Moscow’s Red Square.
Plans were made to erect a column. It would be a monument to Independence. Only the base, or zócalo, was built. The plinth was buried long ago. But the name has lived on. Many other Mexican towns and cities use the word zócalo. They refer to their main plazas this way.