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Chapultepec

Chapultepec Park aerial view

Chapultepec (Nahuatl for "Hill of the Grasshopper"), rocky height surmounted by a historic castle, in Mexico City. The terrace of the castle affords a magnificent view of Mexico City. The surrounding area, called Chapultepec Park, contains lakes and fountains, a zoo, an astronomical observatory, stately boulevards, and cypress trees many centuries old. Chapultepec was known to the early Aztecs as Grasshopper Hill, and the Aztec emperors used the park area for recreation . The hilltop was chosen as the site of the residence of the Spanish viceroy in 1783. Construction of the castle began but was stopped after four years. Although still unfinished, the castle was used as a fortress throughout the colonial period. After years of neglect the castle became the home of the National Military Academy in 1842. The fortifications were modernized shortly before the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846. Chapultepec Castle was captured by United States troops on September 13, 1847, in the final battle of the war. The victory led to the immediate surrender of Mexico City and the opening of negotiations for a peace settlement

When Maximilian, emperor of Mexico, made the castle his residence in 1864, the building was remodeled, the interior furnished with imperial splendor, and the grounds beautified. After Maximilian's downfall in 1867, the castle became the summer residence of the presidents of Mexico. In 1937 the property was converted into a national museum and public park. The National Military Academy was subsequently rehoused in part of the castle.

Chapultepec is girdled by some very attractive neighborhoods: Polanco, Condesa, San Miguel and, not far away, Tacubaya. Designed originally as residential enclaves, today they bring together many interesting buildings, cultural centers, restaurants like El Lago, Meridien and Cafetería del Bosque

In February and March 1945, during World War II, delegates to the Inter American Conference on the Problems of War and Peace met at Chapultepec Castle, where they signed the Act of Chapultepec.

Map of Chapultepec and Polanco

Polanco and Chapultepec

1. Castillo de Chapultepec (Museo Nacional
de Historia) E5 (Chapultepec Castle /
National Museum of History).
2. Museo de Arte Moderno E4 (Modern Art
Museum).
3. Parque de Chapultepec 1ra. Sección D4
(Chapultepec Park 1st. Section).
4. Zoológico de Chapultepec C4
(Chapultepec Zoo).
5. Museo Rufino Tamayo E3 (Rufino
Tamayo Museum). 6. Museo Nacional de Antropología D3
(National Museum of Antropology).
7. Secretaría de Turismo C2 (Ministry of
Tourism).
8. Centro Cultural Arte Contemporáneo
B3 (Cultural Center of Contemporary Art).
9. Auditorio Nacional B3 (National
Auditorium).

PRE HISPANIC ART AND CULTURE MUSEUMS

The Great Temple Museum
National Museum of Anthropology
Teotihuacan Archeological Museum
Cuicuilco Archeological Museum

In the next gallery you will find pictures of Chapultepec Park.

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