Misplaced Pages

#650349

93-579: This institution's location was the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso (English: San Ildefonso College ), which is located in the heart of Mexico City 's historic center . This college was founded in 1588 by the Jesuits and was prestigious during colonial times, but it had almost completely fallen into ruin by the time of the Reform Laws in the 1860s. These Laws secularized most of Church property, including

186-515: A 10-day exchange plan for 9 students and 2 teachers at School number 3. City High School at Oklahoma has an exchange of 15 days with School number 9. Although the schools all have a name and a number, they are commonly referred to by their numbers rather than by their names. The school has mainly 2 kinds of study plan: 19°23′25″N 99°10′04″W  /  19.39028°N 99.16778°W  / 19.39028; -99.16778 San Ildefonso College Colegio de San Ildefonso , currently

279-583: A government function. San Ildefonso was converted into the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, or National Preparatory School, initially directed by Gabino Barreda , who organized the new school on the Positivist model of Auguste Comte ( Comtism ). The initial purpose of the school was to provide the nucleus of students for the soon-to-be-reconstructed Universidad Nacional (National University), later National Autonomous University of Mexico , which

372-401: A grave danger to both people and to the "incalculable artistic and historic value of the buildings." One of the churches in imminent danger is called San Lorenzo Diácono y Mártir , with Our Lady of Loreto , La Santísima Trinidad and La Santa Cruz also requiring prompt attention to avoid collapse. The San Lorenzo and Loreto churches both have had incidences where large pieces of the building,

465-569: A heroine of the Mexican War of Independence stands in a fountain in the middle of the plaza. The San Ildefonso College currently is a museum and cultural center considered to be the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement. San Ildefonso began as a prestigious Jesuit boarding school, and after the Reform War , it gained educational prestige again as National Preparatory School. This school and

558-453: A monumental staircase and contains most of the mural work done at San Ildefonso, and most of this was done by José Clemente Orozco between 1922 and 1927. In what was once the portico , there is a mural by Ramón Alva de la Canal entitled The Spanish Landing and Planting of the Cross on New Land done in 1922. This fresco is considered to be the first of "The New School" of painting dealing with

651-475: A neoclassical building at No. 8 Tacuba, Colonia Centro. It houses a collection representing the history of Mexican art from the late pre-Hispanic era to the early 20th century. It is recognizable by Manuel Tolsá 's large equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain who was the monarch just before Mexico gained its Independence. It was originally in the Zocalo but it was moved to several locations, not out of deference to

744-527: A new building was ordered for the land against and behind the Colegio Grande. The amphitheatre was built by architect Samuel Chavez between 1906 and 1911. Another building that served as the dean's offices was finished in 1931 and designed by architect Pablo Flores. Both the amphitheatre and the dean's offices were designed to copy the Baroque style of the rest of the complex but, according to critics, both contain

837-462: A number of paintings, this room also has an elaborately carved professor's chair that was made for the Preparatory School. The smaller courtyard of the Colegio Grande is called the "Patio de los Pasantes." Pasantes (lit. "those who have passed") were those students who had completed all classes but needed to write their theses. When students reached this point, they were housed in this side of

930-625: A number of these structures, which were never fixed or rebuilt, leading to slums and garbage-strewn vacant lots. The result was the loss of about 100,000 residents of the "Colonia Centro", leaving the area almost deserted at night. By the 1980s, so many had fled the Centro that many of its former mansions were either abandoned or turned into tenements for the poor, and its sidewalks and streets taken over by pickpockets and milling vendors. For many people, especially international visitors, Mexico City's reputation for pollution, traffic and crime has made

1023-521: A significant number of design errors. The lobby leading from the Just Sierra entrance has a double arcade decorated with elaborate Neo- Churrigueresque details. One the left is a fresco painted by Fernando Leal between 1931 and 1933. Named Epopeya bolivariana , it is a historical piece done in nine panels depicting the heroes that fought for independence in the various countries of the Americas . Inside

SECTION 10

#1732856114651

1116-570: A specific point of Mexican history. On the opposite wall of the portico is the Allegory of the Virgin of Guadalupe by Fermin Revueltas. During the commission of this work, after not being paid for a number of weeks, Revueltas staged a kind of a strike at the school. Armed with a pistol and being somewhat drunk, he forced the porter to close the doors of the school. Since neither students nor teachers could enter

1209-432: A stone and a window respectively, have fallen, causing damage but no injuries. Despite efforts by the archdiocese to demonstrate the extent of the damage of many of the churches, Conaculta still maintains that none of the buildings are in danger of coming down. Another problem is that the depopulation of the historic center, which leaves these churches fairly empty and the diocese unable to fund restoration work. Starting in

1302-586: A wedding gift for his daughter. It gained the name "Palace of Iturbide" because Agustín de Iturbide lived and accepted the crown as Mexico's first emperor there after independence from Spain. Today, the restored building houses the Fomento Cultural Banamex and has been renamed the Palacio de Cultura Banamex. The Torre Latinoamericana - This is one of the best-known skyscrapers in Latin America. It

1395-531: Is a museum and cultural center in Mexico City , considered to be the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement. San Ildefonso began as a prestigious Jesuit boarding school, and after the Reform War it gained educational prestige again as National Preparatory School. This school and the building closed completely in 1978, then reopened as a museum and cultural center in 1992. The museum has permanent and temporary art and archeological exhibitions in addition to

1488-404: Is considered a satirical work and The Trench which is considered one of his best works. On the third floor corridor is another series of murals by Orozco known as New Ideals . The staircase connecting the three floors also contains Orozco's mural The Origin of Spanish America , but the upper portion of the staircase contains works by other artists. The southern wall of the stairway leading to

1581-579: Is frequently the center of civic events. The area used to be an Aztec marketplace and after the Conquest, the Catholic Church used the area for the burning of heretics and witches. The park was created in 1592, when Viceroy Luis de Velasco decided to create green space here as a public park. The name comes from the Spanish word álamo , which means poplar tree, which were planted here. By the late 19th century,

1674-508: Is located just off the city's main plaza, or Zócalo , in a building that was the convent for the neighboring Church of Santa Ines ( Agnes of Rome ). This convent was founded in 1600 by Don Diego Caballero and his wife Doña Inés de Velasco. The convent existed until 1861, when, due to the Nationalization of Church Property Act, all convents and monasteries in the country were disbanded. The convent's church and residence hall where separated and

1767-572: Is now modern Mexico City in the 16th century on the ruins of the conquered Tenochtitlan , capital of the Aztec Empire . As the centre of the ancient Aztec Empire and the seat of power for the Spanish colony of New Spain , the Centro Historico contains most of the city's historic sites from both eras as well as a large number of museums. This has made it a World Heritage Site. What is now the historic downtown of Mexico City roughly correlates with

1860-410: Is the national pawn shop, founded in 1775 and one of the largest second-hand shops in the world. On this site were houses that belonged to the last Aztec ruler, Moctezuma II, which Hernán Cortés took for his own after the Conquest. These houses originally stretched from modern-day Isabel la Catolica, Madero, Tacuba and Monte de Piedad streets, prompting one chronicler, Cervantes de Salazar to comment that

1953-425: Is very small, consisting only of a number of restaurants and businesses that import goods. Its diminished size is because most descendants of Chinese immigrants to Mexico in the late 19th and early 20th centuries either intermarried with the local Mexican population and/or were expelled from the country in the 1930s. Despite this, it is considered the nucleus of the approximately 3,000 families with Chinese heritage in

SECTION 20

#1732856114651

2046-506: The Ashes and Snow Nomadic museum and a skateboarding/BMX event that drew 50,000 young people on 24 August 2008. The Festival de México is an annual event with programs dedicated to art (popular and high) and academia. In 2008, was the 24th Festival with 254 performances and shows from over 20 countries in 65 plazas and other locations in this section of the city. It is central to national level protests such as those staged by Lopez Obrador after

2139-769: The Centro or Centro Histórico , is the central neighborhood in Mexico City , Mexico , focused on the Zócalo (or main plaza) and extending in all directions for a number of blocks, with its farthest extent being west to the Alameda Central . The Zocalo is the largest plaza in Latin America. It can hold up to nearly 100,000 people. This section of the capital lies in the municipal borough of Cuauhtémoc , has just over nine km and occupies 668 blocks. It contains 9,000 buildings, 1,550 of which have been declared of historical importance. Most of these historic buildings were constructed between

2232-575: The French intervention , United States and French troops used this building as barracks. The old Jesuit school had almost completely fallen into ruin by the time of the Reform Laws in the 1860s. These Laws secularized most of Church property, including the San Ildefonso College building. In 1867, Benito Juárez began reform of the educational system, taking it out of clerical hands and making it

2325-535: The National Council for Culture and Arts (CONACULTA) do have say in how these places are maintained because of their historic value. Some of the disagreement is over the extent of the deterioration. Conaculta does not believe that any of the 68 religious buildings in the oldest part of city are in imminent danger of collapse. However the Archdiocese of Mexico believes that the structural problems noted constitute

2418-448: The Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico , taking classes there and with the old faculty of San Pedro y San Pablo. In the early 18th century, student population at the school had grown such that building expansion was needed. Work was begun on extending the building in 1712 and completed in 1749. This section of the complex is now known as the "Colegio Chico" (Small College) as opposed to

2511-631: The World Monuments Fund . Work began with the beautification of 34 blocks just north of the Zócalo, digging up the antiquated drainage system and improving water supply. An architect was put in charge of each of the thirteen main streets to restore the façades of more than 500 buildings. The latest infrastructure projects of this type have focused on the southwest portions of the area, on República de El Salvador, Talavera, Correo Mayor, Mesones and Pino Suárez streets, mostly focusing on repaving and improving

2604-597: The viceroys of New Spain and remained so (despite being destroyed and rebuilt again in 1692) until Mexican independence. Facing the Zócalo above a central balcony is the Campana (Bell) of Dolores, which is rung by the president each 15th of Sept to celebrate Independence. The Metropolitan Cathedral , dedicated to the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, occupies the north end of the Zócalo. The site originally

2697-524: The 16th and 20th centuries. It is divided into two zones for preservation purposes. Zone A encompasses the pre-Hispanic city and its expansion from the Viceroy period until Independence. Zone B covers the areas all other constructions to the end of the 19th century that are considered indispensable to the preservation of the area's architectural and cultural heritage. This is where the Spaniards began to build what

2790-636: The 1920s, soon after the Mexican Revolution , the government sponsored mural paintings with themes centering on Mexico's history and politics of the post-Revolution era. San Ildefonso was one of the first public buildings to be painted this way. The artwork was commissioned by Secretary of Education José Vasconcelos , a former director of the Preparatory School. Painters who contributed mural work include Ramón Alva de la Canal , Fermin Revueltas , Fernando Leal , José Clemente Orozco , Diego Rivera , David Alfaro Siqueiros , and Jean Charlot . Today

2883-741: The 2006 Presidential Elections and the nationwide protest against crime held on August 30, 2008. Just off the Zócalo are the Palacio Nacional, the Cathedral Metropolitana, the Templo Mayor with its adjoining museum, and Nacional Monte de Piedad building. The Palacio Nacional borders the entire east side of the Zocalo and contains the offices of the President of Mexico , the Federal Treasury,

Escuela Nacional Preparatoria - Misplaced Pages Continue

2976-574: The 4th Viceroy. Although the works had not been concluded, the cathedral received its first dedication on 2 February 1656. The completion in 1813 of the neo-classical additions designed by Manuel Tolsá was celebrated on 15 August 2013 by Cardinal Carrera who opened and entered through the Holy Door in the center of the façade prior to celebrating Pontifical High Mass in the cathedral. Between 1989 and 2000 extensive engineering works were conducted to arrest and rectify damage and distortions caused to

3069-592: The Amphitheater Bolívar completed in 1911. The Jesuits arrived in Mexico in 1572. With evangelization of the native population mostly complete in central Mexico, this order soon turned to establishing schools, especially schools for Criollo youth. They founded numerous colleges both in Mexico City and the outlying provinces, but the most important of these was San Ildefonso, founded in 1588. In 1618, it merged with

3162-651: The Aztec god Tezcatlipoca . It remained the archbishphoric until 1867 when the Finance Ministry Accountancy Department was established there. The modern museum houses an exhibit dedicated to this god as well as a large art collection. La Santísima Church is located at the corner of La Santísima and Emiliano Zapata streets. Its full name is Temple and Hospital of the Most Holy Trinity (Templo y Antiguo Hospital de la Santisíma Trinidad). The church

3255-795: The Bolívar Amphitheater itself, one of Diego Rivera's early murals The Creation is exhibited. Despite the mixture of styles and concepts, this mural contains some of the features that would become Rivera trademarks: generous curves in the human form, Mexican nationalist elements, geometric structure of the composition, and groupings of famous persons. Other paintings here include works by Emilio Garcia Cahera, Ernesto García Cabral , and Angel Bolivar. 19°26′9.78″N 99°7′50.37″W  /  19.4360500°N 99.1306583°W  / 19.4360500; -99.1306583 Centro (Mexico City) The historic center of Mexico City ( Spanish : Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México ), also known as

3348-644: The Church of Santa Inés still maintains its original function. The residence hall became private property, functioning mostly as tenements until artist José Luis Cuevas bought the property with the intention to restoring it and establishing the current museum dedicated to his art and art of contemporary Latin America. The House of the First Print Shop in the Americas at the corner of Moneda and Licenciado Primo Verdad streets

3441-512: The Colonial period to evangelize the Catholic faith in what is now northern Mexico. The exhibition brought together pieces from Mexico, the U.S., and Europe. The museum is also an active participant in the effort to revitalize the historic center of Mexico City, offering space for cultural and business events, using the money earned to support its public cultural functions. There is also a gift shop in

3534-753: The Count of the Valley of Orizaba ordered the Talavera tiles from Puebla . In the early part of the 20th century, as a result of the Latin American posture of then-Minister of Public Education José Vasconcelos , many of the streets to the north and west of the Zocalo were renamed after Latin American countries. Historically, the Zócalo, or main plaza, has been a venue for fine and popular cultural events. Some example of events held here recently are Spencer Tunick 's photo shoot,

3627-628: The Demons" and the "House of the Flowers". Also located here were the two most renowned Aztec schools: the Telpuchcalli for secular studies and the Calmecac for priestly training. When the Spaniards arrived, the city had aqueducts built by Moctezuma Ilhuicamina and Ahuizotl as well as a large dike constructed to the east of the city. After the Spanish conquest, this design remained largely intact, mostly due to

3720-551: The Jesuits) as well as one called Virgen del Rosario ( Our Lady of the Rosary ) both done in tecali. This portal opens to a hall that leads to a smaller patio. Colegio Grande or Large College is the largest and original portion of the complex. It consists of one large patio, surrounded on all four sides by simple rounded arches, hallways, and rooms and one smaller patio called the "Patio de los Pasantes." The school part has three floors with

3813-652: The Nation is located just off the Zócalo , on the corners of Pino Suárez and Carranza Streets. It was built between 1935 and 1941 by Antonio Muñoz Garcia. Prior to the Conquest , this site was reserved for the ritual known as " Dance of the Flyers " which is still practiced today in Papantla . Its ownership was in dispute during much of the colonial period, eventually becoming the site of a very large market known as El Volador. The interior of

Escuela Nacional Preparatoria - Misplaced Pages Continue

3906-587: The National Archives as well as murals depicting pre-Hispanic life and a large mural filling the central stairway depicting the entire history of the Mexican nation from the Conquest on. This palace was built on the ruins of Moctezuma II's palace beginning in 1521, using the same tezontle stone used to build the Aztec palace. It was originally in the Hernán Cortés family until the king of Spain bought it to house

3999-411: The San Ildefonso College building In 1867, Benito Juárez began reform of the educational system, taking it out of clerical hands and making it a government function. San Ildefonso was converted into the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria initially directed by Gabino Barreda , who organized the new school on the Positivist model of Auguste Comte ( Comtism ). The initial purpose of the school was to provide

4092-428: The ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which was founded around 1325. During the prehispanic era, the city developed in a planned fashion, with streets and canals aligned with the cardinal directions, leading to orderly square blocks. The island that the city was founded on was divided into four calpullis or neighborhoods that were divided by the main north-south roads leading to Tepeyac and Iztapalapa respectively and

4185-428: The building closed completely in 1978, then reopened as a museum and cultural center in 1994. The museum has permanent and temporary art and archeological exhibitions in addition to the many murals painted on its walls by José Clemente Orozco , Diego Rivera and others. The complex is located between San Ildefonso Street and Justo Sierra Street in the historic center of Mexico City. The Supreme Court of Justice of

4278-417: The building contains four panels painted in 1941 by José Clemente Orozco , two of which are named "The Social Labor Movement" and "National Wealth." There is also one mural done by American artist George Biddle entitled "War and Peace" at the entrance to the library. The Palace of Iturbide - this large palatial home on Madero Street #17 was built by the Count of San Mateo Valparaíso in the 18th century as

4371-606: The building is a museum and cultural center. In 1978, the National Preparatory School was closed and the building remained closed to the public until 1992. In that year it was renovated for an exposition called "Esplendores de 30 siglos" (Splendors of 30 centuries). In 1994, the building was opened permanently as a cultural center and museum administered jointly by the National Autonomous University of Mexico, National Council for Culture and Arts , and

4464-521: The building. It has only three sides with arches, with the fourth side being a blank wall. Otherwise, this patio is similar to the larger one. While the Colegio Chico has undergone significant modifications since it was built onto the main college in the 18th century, it remains intact to this day. From the Colegio Chico entrance there is a simple stairwell. Siqueiros (muralist) painted the sides of this stairwell from 1922 to 1924, but he never finished

4557-565: The centro historicos is built with the rubble of the destroyed Aztec city. A number of people during this time, all Spaniards, accumulated vast wealth mostly through mining and commerce in the 17th and 18th centuries. This wealth is reflected in the various mansions scattered in the centro such as the Palace of Iturbide and Casa de Azulejos (House of Tiles). This house was built in the 16th century in Arab style but its namesake tiles were added in 1747 when

4650-453: The city are in serious disrepair and are in danger of being lost. Efforts to save these churches are hampered by disagreements between the Church and the federal government . Because these churches are both active religious institutions and historical landmarks, their legal situation is complicated. By law, religious institutions cannot appeal to the government for financial help, but agencies like

4743-490: The city center has climbed to over 5 billion pesos or 438 million U.S. dollars. According to the Historic Center of Mexico City Trust, this has led to the creation of 15,000 jobs and property owners in the area are showing interest in improving on their investments here. It has also attracted outside investment into the area. Tour buses , locally known as "Turibuses", are the most commonly used transportation for tourism in

SECTION 50

#1732856114651

4836-515: The city center included the construction of the new mayoral residence just off the Zócalo. The government has buried electric and telephone cables in the area, and replaced old asphalt with paving stones. It has also installed nearly 100 security cameras to help with crime issues. This paved the way for the opening of upscale eateries, bars and fashionable stores. Also, young people are moving into downtown lofts. To attract more tourists, there are new red double-decker buses. As of 2004, investment in

4929-413: The city someplace to "get into and out of as fast as you can", seeing it as little more than an airport through which to make their connecting flights to resort areas like Cozumel . Until recently, many of the restaurants in the area, even the best, would close early to allow employees time to get home because the area was not particularly safe at night. Many of historic churches in the oldest parts of

5022-489: The city. Even though Spanish colonial buildings make up most of Centro histórico there are examples of different architectural styles Primary and secondary schools: From Aztec times, the Centro Historico used to be where the wealthy and elite lived. However, in the early 20th century, these classes began to move to areas west and southwest of the Centro, to neighbourhoods such as Colonia Juárez , Colonia Cuauhtémoc , Colonia Roma and Colonia Condesa . The Centro remained

5115-568: The commercial, political and intellectual center through the mid 20th century although it was around this time that UNAM moved most of its facilities to the new Ciudad Universitaria . The reason for the decline of the city center was partly man-made and partly natural. In the 1940s, the city government froze rents so that until 1998 when the government repealed the law, tenants were still paying 1950s-level rents. With no financial incentive to keep up their properties, landlords let their buildings disintegrate. The 1985 earthquake took its toll on

5208-414: The dancers and is considered a notable example of Neo-Baroque style. On one side of the hallway leading from the portal to the patio, there is the old chapel. This chapel was used as a library during the years that this was the preparatory school. This chapel contains a number of paintings. On the other side of the hallway, to the left of the "La Tinchera" mural, is "El Generalito" (the little general)

5301-561: The early 2000s, the government has infused 500 million Mexican pesos (US$ 55 million) into the Historic Center Trust and entered into a partnership with the Fundación Centro Histórico , an organization established by Carlos Slim , to buy dozens of centuries-old buildings for rehabilitation. The significance of this effort was recognized when, in 2006, the Historic Center was included in the 2006 World Monuments Watch by

5394-521: The efforts of Alonso Garcia Bravo , who supervised much of the rebuilding of the city. This reconstruction conserved many of the main thoroughfares such as Tenayuca, renamed Vallejo; Tlacopan, renamed México Tacuba, and Tepeyac, now called the Calzada de los Misterios. They also kept major divisions of the city adding Christian prefixes to the names such as San Juan Moyotla, Santa María Tlaquechiuacan, San Sebastián Atzacualco and San Pedro Teopan. In fact, most of

5487-538: The estipite designs on the Kings Altar of the cathedral are the first use of this design in New Spain. This portal has a relief named La imposición de la casulla a san Ildefonsus ("Putting on the chasuble on Saint Ildephonsus of Toledo ") and opens to a hall that leads to the largest patio. The portal leading to the Colegio Chico has a relief called El patrocinio de san Jose los Jesuitas ( Saint Joseph as patron of

5580-525: The general assembly room of the Preparatory School. This room got its nickname because despite its small size, it was still the room used for all major assemblies. It contains the elaborately-carved choir stalls that belonged to the Convent of San Agustin, created by Salvador Ocampo with relief work in wood. These stalls were probably created sometime in the last third of the 17th century. They were brought, refurbished, and installed here in 1890. In addition to

5673-513: The government of the Federal District of Mexico City. The museum hosts temporary art and archeological exhibits focusing on both Mexican and foreign cultures. One recent exhibition was called "Cicatrices de la Fe. El arte de las misiones del norte de la Nueva España 1600–1821" (Scars of the Faith. The art of the missions in the north of New Spain 1600–1821), focusing on the religious art used during

SECTION 60

#1732856114651

5766-399: The government, though still government-sponsored. The Preparatory School became part of the newly independent university system, being designated as Preparatory #1 for a short time. Following this, because of the increasing demand, nine more schools were built, as well as a new organizational organism called General Direction. These schools were located at the center of Mexico City, but due to

5859-429: The historical center as well as many other parts of the city. This is a paid service which transports visitors to different tourist attractions and cultural points in the city center. The Mexico City Metro is the most commonly used means of transport for locals to visit the spaces of the historic center. The area is serviced by several stations. The Zócalo is served by Zócalo/Tenochtitlan metro station ; Allende station

5952-417: The increasing size of the city and the necessity for modern buildings, they were relocated in the vicinity of the city, mainly orientated in the southern neighborhoods like Coyoacán , Xochimilco and Villa Coapa . The original San Ildefonso College location remained open until 1978, when it closed completely. It is now a museum and cultural museum. Frida Kahlo was one of their many students. She attended

6045-400: The interior of the building during the engineering works were removed on 28 November 2000. The Templo Mayor archeological site and museum, is the center of the ancient teocalli, located now just northeast of the Zócalo. It was demolished by Hernán Cortés in the 1520s and its location forgotten. The exact site was determined in the beginning of the 20th century, but the decision to excavate

6138-422: The king but rather to conserve a piece of art, according to the plaque at the base. It arrived to its final location in 1979. The Palacio de Correos de Mexico (Postal Palace of Mexico City) also known as the "Correo Mayor" (Main Post Office) is located on the Eje Central (Lázaro Cárdenas) near the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It is an early 20th-century building built in the style of an Italian Renaissance palace. It

6231-472: The lower one being larger. Most of the facade belongs to the Colegio Grande, or the original section of the college. There are two extremely large portals done in cantera with supporting relieves done in "tecali", a very white, almost transparent marble. On the far left of the pedestrian zone is the stone portal of the Colegio Chico. This is the oldest intact section of facade, and it is adorned with estipite (inverted truncated pyramid) pilasters. Either they or

6324-478: The many murals painted on its walls by José Clemente Orozco , Fernando Leal , Diego Rivera , and others. The complex is located between San Ildefonso Street and Justo Sierra Street in the historic center of Mexico City . The college was founded 1588 and it is composed of six sections, that are five colonial baroque: the Colegio Grande, Colegio Chico, the chapel, El Generalito and the courtyard of los Pasantes, all completed in 1749; and one modern neo-baroque:

6417-440: The newly independent university system, being designated as Preparatory #1 for a short time. As part of the student revolts of 1968 , some students hid inside the building, which resulted in an occupation by the Mexican Army, who entered the building by shooting a bazooka round on its 18th-century-old front door. Its name soon changed back to Escuela Nacional Preparatoria and remained so until 1978, when it closed completely. In

6510-440: The northern zone; Bellas Artes , Hidalgo and Juárez stations cover the Alameda area; and San Juan de Letrán , Salto del Agua , Isabel la Católica , Pino Suárez and Merced stations cover the southern zones. The Mexico City Metrobús service also covers the zone with the Line 4 route. Another commonly used form of transportation is the taxi service. These are regulated by the Mexico City government and can be summoned by

6603-468: The nucleus of students for the soon-to-be-reconstructed Universidad Nacional (National University), later National Autonomous University of Mexico , which was re-established in 1910 by Justo Sierra . The new preparatory school began functioning at the San Ildefonso building with more than 700 day students and 200 live-in students. The complex remained a separate entity until 1929, when the Universidad Nacional gained autonomy, meaning it became independent of

6696-462: The old San Pedro y San Pablo College , which was nearly in ruins, and gained a royal seal from Philip III of Spain . Although administered by Jesuits, the education here was not solely dedicated to religious matters. San Ildefonso was not a college in the modern sense of the word, but rather more like a boarding residence and school. Young men lived and studied at the school, which did offer classes, but San Ildefonso's students were also enrolled in

6789-500: The original section, called the "Colegio Grande" (Large College). The facade of both sections, which faces San Ildefonso Street, was constructed around this time as well. The school reached its height in the 18th century, becoming one of the most important educational institutions in Mexico City, along with the university. However, the Jesuits were expelled from all Spanish lands in 1767, including Mexico, by Charles III . Operation of

6882-418: The outdated drainage systems. In the process, artifacts dating from as early as the pre-Hispanic period have been unearthed. All over the historic center, streets have been pedestrianized, buildings have been restored, and new museums opened. In the 1990s, after many years of controversy, protests and even riots, most street vendors were evicted to other parts of the city. The impetus to bring things back to

6975-513: The park included a bandstand and gas (now electric) lamps. On the south side of the park, facing toward the street is the Hemiciclo a Juárez , which is a large white semi-circular monument to Benito Juárez , who is one of Mexico's most beloved presidents. Mexico City's Chinatown, known locally as " Barrio Chino ", is located on two blocks of Dolores Street, just south of the Palacio de Bellas Artes . It

7068-403: The patio of the Colegio Grande that offers museum publications, handcrafted jewelry, ceramics and textiles, as well as publications relating to the temporary and permanent collections of the museum. Although it no longer provides access inside the complex, the large facade that runs along almost the entire length of San Ildefonso Street is the original, with a wide pedestrian zone between it and

7161-611: The plaza. It is all that is left from the first convent to be established in New Spain . To the south of the church is Plaza San Domingo. It is flanked to the west by the Portal de Evangelistas, which is a Tuscan colonnade with round arches. Scribes with typewriters and antique printing machines work in this Portal. Scribes offer their services to illiterate clients, often offering services similar to that of lawyers, counselors, and financial consultants. A statue of Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez ,

7254-561: The residence was not a palace but rather another city. Santo Domingo refers to the Church of Santo Domingo and the adjoining plaza. Both are located three blocks north of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral following Republica de Brasil Street with Belisario Dominguez Street separating the two. Officially known as the Señor de la Expiación Chapel, the church is located on the north side of Belisario Dominguez and faces

7347-687: The school in 1922. In 1972, the School's orchestra was founded by Uberto Zanolli . Its present director is Luis Samuel Saloma, who made a tour along the 9 schools of the ENP, giving a final concert at the Auditorium at the General Direction. The school runs academic exchanges with different foreign institutions, they are run on a yearly basis. The Horizon High School in Broomfield, Colorado , United States, has

7440-591: The school was then given to non-monastic clergy, and the school declined. The building continued to function as the San Ildefonso College between 1767 and 1867, but it was also used for other purposes, such as housing soldiers from the Flandes Regiment , being a temporary site of the Jurisprudence School, and housing several departments of the School of Medicine. During the Mexican American War and

7533-440: The school, classes were suspended. The situation was resolved when David Alfaro Siqueiros met with Education Minister José Vasconcelos to arrange payment in gold coins. The story ends with both Siqueiros and Revueltas spending the money at a local cantina . From the large patio of the Colegio Grande, one can see murals done by Orozco on all three floors. In the second floor corridor is a piece by Orozco called The Old Order which

7626-408: The street. The facade is a long wall which is covered in tezontle, a blood-red porous volcanic stone, with windows and doors arranged unevenly and pilasters dividing the façade horizontally. These windows and doors are framed with jambs and lintels in cantera, a grayish-white stone. Vertical pilasters made of chiluca , another kind of white stone, divide the facade, which has two levels with

7719-426: The structure by the uneven rate and extent of the sinking of the building provoked by the continuous settlement of the ground on which it stands. This began with the drainage of the lake of the Valley of Mexico initiated in 1607 and has continued with the reduction of the water-table caused by the pumping of water for use by Mexico City's rapidly expanding population. The last of the temporary props which had disfigured

7812-462: The third floor is occupied by a mural by French artist Jean Charlot entitled The Conquest of Tenochtitlan . This work covers an aspect of Aztec history for the first time and is also noted for the use of metallic encrustations on the necklaces worn by Aztec lords. The northern wall contains a work called The Festivities of the Lord of Chalma by Fernando Leal. The work is noted for its use of bright color on

7905-410: The west-east road that lead to Tacuba and to a dike into the lake, respectively. The calpullis were named Cuepopan, Atzacualco, Moyotla and Zoquipan, which had subdivisions and a "tecpan" or district council each. The intersection of these roads was the center of the city and of the Aztec world. Here were the Templo Mayor, the palaces of the tlatoani or emperors, palaces of nobles such as the "House of

7998-541: The work. Furthermore, much of the work was lost during later renovations. Only a work on the stairwell's ceiling, called The Elements , survives intact. The portals of the San Ildefonso Street side of the complex are no longer open for public access. The entrance to the complex is now on Justo Sierra Street through the Simón Bolívar Amphitheater. In 1906, due to the growth of the Preparatory School,

8091-483: Was begun in 1948 and completed in 1956 and is 182 meters tall, antennae included. It is located on the corner of Eje Central and Juarez Streets. It was the tallest tower in Mexico prior to the construction of Torre Pemex. The building has survived two major earthquakes since it was built, one in 1957 and the other in 1985. The Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL) is the Mexican National Art Museum, housed in

8184-417: Was built between 1755 and 1783 as a temple for the adjoining hospital/hospice for priests. The church still retains its original function but the adjoining hospital and office sites have since moved into private hands with only parts of the original structures still intact and preserved. The church is also noted for the fact that it has sunk almost three meters since it was built. The José Luis Cuevas Museum

8277-456: Was designed by Italian Adamo Boari, who also designed part of the Palacio de Bellas Artes across the street. The Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público is an art museum located at Moneda Street #4. It is housed in what was the Palacio del Arzobispado (Palace of the Archbishopric), built in 1530 under Friar Juan de Zumárraga on the base of the destroyed pyramid dedicated to

8370-490: Was not made until 1978, when electrical workers chanced upon an eight-ton stone disk depicting the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui . Excavation unearthed a pyramid built in multiple layers. This is the spot where, according to legend, the Aztecs saw their sign to settle from their wanderings, an eagle perched on a nopal cactus with a snake in its beak, which is still the symbol of Mexico today. The Nacional Monte de Piedad building

8463-556: Was part of the Aztec Sacred Precinct (called the Teocalli) and contained the main tzompantli , or rack for the skulls of sacrifice victims. The first church was erected between 1524 or 1526 and 1532 and was elevated to the rank of cathedral on 2 September 1530 by Pope Clement VII . The foundations for a new cathedral were begun in 1562 and the foundation stone was laid in 1573 in the time of Archbishop Pedro Moya de Contreras and of

8556-521: Was re-established in 1910 by Justo Sierra . The new preparatory school began functioning at the San Ildefonso building with more than 700 day students and 200 live-in students. The complex remained a separate entity until 1929, when the Universidad Nacional gained autonomy, meaning it became independent of the government, though still government-sponsored. The Preparatory School became part of

8649-562: Was the home of the first printing press/print shop in the New World . The house was originally constructed by Gerónimo de Aguilar in 1524 and is located on the outer edge of what was the sacred precinct of the Templo Mayor prior to the Conquest . Alameda Central is a public park adjacent to the Palacio de Bellas Artes , between Juarez Avenue and Hidalgo Avenue. It is a green garden with paved paths and decorative fountains and statues, and

#650349