Cultural sightseeing in Mexico

Mexico is visited by 20 million tourists every year. Some of them are attracted by sea resorts, some by the local cuisine, others by the ancient culture. Everyone can find something to their liking in Mexico. The country with a rich history has many museums that are ready to reveal the secrets of the past to anyone interested. In Mexico City, there is the 18th-century Chapultepec Castle combining neo-romanticism and neo-Gothic in its architecture. In the 19th century, it housed a military academy, then the residence of Emperor Maximilian I, and now it is occupied by the National Museum of History. In the Museum, you can see artifacts of the ancient cultures of Mexico, admire paintings by Mexican artists like Jose Clemente Orozco and others, learn the history of the war of independence, and other key moments in Mexican history.

Frida Kahlo’s House Museum, or “La Casa Azul” (“the Blue House”), is the home of the great Mexican artist that turned into a museum in the 1950s shortly after her death. Within these blue walls, there are Frida’s personal belongings and her works. The museum is recommended not only to fans of the artist and art lovers but also to all those wishing to touch the recent past of Mexico. The museum is very popular among tourists and locals, so you should be patient: there are always long queues here.

The Leon Trotsky House Museum is a house with red-painted walls where Trotsky lived and was killed. It is located near the Frida Kahlo Museum. It hosts guided tours and historical exhibitions dedicated to prominent revolutionaries. You can look at Trotsky's personal things, see how modest his life was, visit a library and a gift shop or take a walk in a garden. In the backyard, there is a tomb with the ashes of Trotsky and his wife. The atmosphere of the past is carefully preserved in this house. The museum is closed on Mondays. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Those interested in science should not ignore "Museo de la Luz" (The Museum of Light). It is an interactive science museum containing mirrors, a darkroom, workshops, and an oculist room, which is entirely dedicated to the light: the nature of light, the light of the stars, the chemistry of color, the light of art, visual illusions and so on. In Aguascalientes, you'll discover wonderful "Museo Interactivo de Ciencias y Tecnologia" ("The Interactive Museum of Science and Technology"). In this constantly updated museum, one can learn a lot about innovations in science and technology, information technology, as well as visit a planetarium and an observatory.

Ancient history awaits tourists in Oaxaca. The incredible Monte Alban, or White Mountain, is a mountain on top of which are the ruins of the ancient city of the Zapotec people. This place offers a magical view of the valley. Walking through the city as if plunges visitors into the distant past of the cruel civilization. The ruins of the city of Uxmal in northwestern Yucatan tell about the life of the Maya people. Built in the 9th century, this city with its magnificent pyramids, palaces, and the face of the rain god found at every turn is inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

On the Yucatan Peninsula are the ruins of Tulum. Built in the 13th century, this limestone Mayan city looks like a maze. It was a port city, there is a clean beach. Steep steps lead to a grand castle on a limestone cliff. The view of the city boggles the mind of every visitor. It is home to birds, iguanas, and snakes, while the beautiful nature against a background of blue water is truly fascinating. Nearby are the ruins of the city of Coba located in a forest. The space around the city is well-groomed and looks like a nice city park but with pyramids, one of which can be climbed. On some walls of the ruins, there are preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions.

The luxurious marble Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City is not only an opera house but also an exhibition hall and a museum. The building is magnificent both inside and outside - marble and gilding are everywhere. It hosts exhibitions of works by artists from around the world and carefully preserved paintings by Mexican artists. Opera and ballet are staged in a theater with a stained glass curtain, and on the fourth floor is the National Museum of Architecture keeping modern exhibits.