Mexico is one of the worldâs most popular vacation destiny of travelers around the globe. This country has the most famous historical sites in Mexico. Over 20 million foreign visitors come to Mexico every year. Mexico City is a capital of Mexico thatâs not short on monuments and statues from those which honor past revolutionaries to those paying homage to actors, singers, and writers, there are literally hundreds to check out and far too many to name in detail in this guide. While weâve narrowed it down to only 15 of the best, Paseo de la Reforma, La Alameda Central, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes remain key areas to check out in their entirety if youâre a fan of statues or monuments.
List of Historical Monuments in Mexico
1. The Angel of Independence
The Angel of Independence is most commonly known by the shortened name El Ăngel. It is officially known as Monumento a la Independencia. It is a victory column on a roundabout on the major thoroughfare of Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City. The Angel of Independence is situated on Paseo de la Reforma, one of Mexico Cityâs largest and most important avenues. Whilst the Paseo is lined with statues of all types, the 118-foot-high Ăngel is arguably the star of the metaphorical show, making it a must-see if youâre planning a tour of the cityâs statues and monuments. It is also the location of some of the cityâs biggest annual Independence Day celebrations, the 100th anniversary of which it was built to commemorate, originally opened in 1910.
2. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of Mexicoâs most visited monuments in Mexico and the largest of the Maya cities in the Yucatan Peninsula. The temple-pyramid of El Castillo is the most famous landmark in Mexico. The design of the temple has unique astronomical significance. Other highlights of Chichen Itza include the Great Ballcourt and El Caracol, a circular temple that served as an astronomical observatory.
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3. Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan, most famous historical sites in Mexico measures forty-two meters of height and eighteen thousand square meters of base. It is the most impressed by the large square that is at its base. And because you have to walk down the Avenue of the Dead to get to it, giving it a mystique of its own. It feels so exciting too if you get close to the pyramid and climb as much as possible since it does not have as many tourists as the Pyramid of the Sun it is easier to connect more with the environment.
4. Palenque
Palenque, popular Monuments of Mexico is situated in southern Mexico, the ruins of the Mayan city of Palenque date back to 100 BC although its name is recently modern coming from the village located close by. The ancient name of the city was Lakam Ha, meaning “Big Water”, as it has numerous springs and wide cascades. Palenque flourished in the 7th century and its decline and fall occurring around 800 AD. After its decline, it was covered by the jungle but ongoing excavation and restoration work has made it one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico.
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5. Uxmal
Uxmal most represents Maya Architecture at its best, together with Tikal and Chichen Itza. The name is thought to mean âthrice builtâ although it has also been suggested that it derives from the word Uchmal, which refers to the future. Although a great deal of work has been carried out at Uxmal – and in fact is still being carried out â not a lot is known about the city. It is believed that it was founded around 500 AD and that most of its development occurred between 700 – 1000 AD when it became a thriving city and a religious center with great ceremonial significance.
6. Monte Alban
Established in 500 BC in the Valley of Oaxaca by the Zapotecs, Monte Alban, old monuments in Mexico was one of the first cities in the Americas and was to become the main center for government and to have a significant effect on the development of the arts and science. It reached its height in the years 350 â 550 AD during the classical period. Around 800 AD the city began to lose its power to the Mixtecs and cities such as Mitla and by 850 AD the soil around Monte Alban was exhausted and the city virtually deserted. In the years that followed, it became a sacred site to the Mixtecs who would visit it but did not occupy it, although considering it a sacred site they would bury their dead there and a number of tombs have been found and exhibits of these can be seen in the on-site museum.
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7. Kabah
Kabah, important historical landmarks in Mexico is located 18 km south Uxmal and connected to it by a raised pedestrian causeway 5 meters wide with monumental arches at each end is the city of Kabah. The connection between the two sites indicating its importance. It is thought that in early times Kabah and Uxmal were adversaries, but that they eventually became allies with Kabah becoming the second city in importance next to Uxmal.
8. Mitla
The archaeological site of Mitla, cultural sites in Mexico is located in the center of the town which grew up around the ruins. Close by is the Church of San Pablo which was constructed by the Spanish in the 17th century using much of the material taken from the site. Mitla dates back to about 900 BC while the remains which are visible today date from about 200 AD to 900 AD when the Zapotecs controlled the area. In 1000 AD the Mixtecs took control of the site until 1200 AD when the Zapotecs regained it.
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9.Monumento a Colon
The monument to Christopher Columbus, one of the famous statues in Mexico city discovers of the New World in popular history, at the very least. Monumento a Colon is similarly located on Paseo de la Reforma. Designed in Paris by Enrique Cordier, it was first unveiled in 1877. The Monumento a Colon is also a must-see statue the next time youâre in the capital, now emblematic of Mexico City.
10. Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor was a temple in the capital city of the Aztecs, now in Mexico City. It is considered in historic sites in Mexico. In fact, much of Mexico City was built over Tenochtitlan, but some original sites remain, known as Templo Mayor, which was the most important building in the city. Now a popular tourist site, the site contains a museum filled with Aztec artifacts uncovered during the excavation.
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11. Copalita
Copalita, a famous monument in Mexico is located on a cliff overlooking the ocean, ten miles from Huatulco. Its name comes from a large amount of copal found in the area. Copal is a tree resin used as incense during ceremonies, a common substance found across Mesoamerican cultures. The earliest remains of the site date back 2,500 years from the time of the Zapotec. In fact, the only site ever built by the ocean on Mexicoâs Pacific coast and the first Zapotec archaeological site found in the Huatulco area.
12. Chacchoben
Chacchoben, monuments of Mexico is situated in just south of the Riviera Maya and it takes an hourâs drive from Costa Maya. Its name means “The Place of Red Corn,” which is derived from a nearby village, its original name is not known. It is believed that the site was abandoned and reoccupied a number of times and it is known that most of the structure at the site was modified or restored a number of times most notably from 300 â 360 AD although the buildings in the main groups which can be seen today date from 700 AD. Â
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