Nacional Monte de Piedad

The largest cathedral in the American continent. Designed by Claudio de Arcinieaga, construction started in 1537 and lasted for 250 years. Be sure to check out the side chapels where parishioners leave offerings for the various saints. For a bird's-eye view of the plaza, you can take a 40-minute tour (Spanish language only) of the upper levels and bell towers of the cathedral (M$12).

This is the official cultural center from the Spanish Embassy and features temporary exhibits.

A side chapel next to the Cathedral completed in 1769. The façade is an excellent example of Mexican Churrigueresque architecture.

Baroque-style church established by the Jesuit order in the late 16th century and completed in 1610. The church is famous for its extensive art collection, some of which is on display for public viewing in an attached art gallery. The art was commissioned by the Jesuits during their first two centuries in Mexico. The collection remained intact when the Jesuits were expelled from all lands of the Spanish Empire during the 18th century. The building itself is admired for its early baroque architecture, which was more restrained than the effusive opulence of later churches, but that restraint did not extend to the church interior, which features many sculptures and period oil paintings, as well as architectural details like the extravangant Neoclassical main altar (designed by Manuel Tolsa to replace the original altar), covered in gold leaf. The art collection is one of the largest collections of early Mexican art and the gallery features four salons. Salon 1 contains the earliest works in the collection, mostly by well-known artists in Spain. Salon 2 boldly features a huge painting of Saint Philip Neri and the room is dedicated to works associated with the saint, as well as portraits of 11 popes. Salon 3 is a historical perspective of religious art from the 17th through 19th century with paintings depicting Biblical scenes and portraits of saints from those centuries. Salon 4 features works from the 18th century with two prominent paintings by Miguel Correa, one showing the torments of hell and the second showing judgment day as the good are separated from the evil.

One of the newest museums in the city, this contains the personal collection of paintings, photography, and books of the Mexican journalist and writer Carlos Monsivais.

This square measures 240m long on either side. A huge Mexican flag occupies the center, which is ceremoniously lowered and re-raised each day at 18:00. You may see art exhibits, concerts, demonstrations or all manner of social gatherings taking place here. On New Year's Day, practitioners of Mexico's indigenous religions gather to bless believers for the coming year; Mexican independence is celebrated in the plaza on 15 and 16 September. During December, through the miracle of modern refrigeration, the entire Zócalo is transformed into an ice skating rink.