Plaza de La Constitución

This main plaza, or zócalo, is at the very heart of the city. It was built upon the ruins of the Templo Mayor, described below. It is massive in size and incredibly impressive. This is one of the biggest public squares in the world and one of the most interesting, with handsome Colonial buildings facing onto it. Two of the most dramatic of these are the magnificent cathedral and the Palacio National (see above). One of the best times to visit the plaza to truly capture its magic is in the early morning. At dawn, the colorful Mexican flag is raised on the towering pole in the center of the square, accompanied by music and lots of pomp and ceremony. At this time of the day the square is at its most beautiful, with soft light and few tourists. Later on, the square becomes far more congested with many vendors, lots of tourists, and the noise and bustle of the throng of the city going about its daily activities. This, too, is a fun time to be here and to feel the pulse of the giant square, which was probably as busy during Aztec times as it is today.