History's Greatest Cities Mexico City
Jun 14, 2024
Travel writer Paul Bloomfield and expert historian Dr. Amy Fuller delve into Mexico City's roots with the Aztec people, the impact of Spanish conquest, and the city's evolution. They highlight important historical figures, hidden heritage sites, and offer travel tips for eager explorers.
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Urban Coup Brought Revolution Into The Centre
- The Ten Tragic Days of 1913 brought urban combat and political assassination into Mexico City's heart.
- The coup against President Madero intensified the Mexican Revolution and killed hundreds in the Zócalo.
Cortés: Ambition, Narrative, and Decline
- Hernán Cortés rose from petty nobility, defied orders, burned ships and crafted his own narrative to the Spanish crown.
- He later fell from favour, returned to Spain, and died disillusioned despite his initial power.
See Teotihuacan First
- Visit Teotihuacan outside the city to see massive pyramids and the Avenue of the Dead for broader pre-Aztec context.
- Allow time to climb and reflect; the scale reveals ancient urban ambition predating the Mexica.