historia

Los museos y pinacotecas ostentan categoría internacional, no sólo el Museo Nacional de Antropología de la Ciudad de México y tantos otros museos arqueológicos de primer orden, sino también las que fueron residencias de artistas como Frida Kahlo y Diego Rivera o personajes que hicieron historia como Hernán Cortés, León Trotsky y Pancho Villa, sin olvidar curiosidades como el Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato (una colección de cadáveres exhumados en el cementerio municipal) y el Museo Rafael Coronel de Zacatecas (donde se expone un asombroso muestrario de más de 2,000 máscaras utilizadas en danzas y rituales).

Las infinitas cadenas montañosas que cruzan el territorio han propiciado desde siempre que los numerosos pueblos que lo han habitado emprendieran destinos diferentes. Aquí florecieron siglos atrás grandes culturas e imperios, como los olmecas, los mayas y los aztecas cuyos descendientes directos (más de 50 comunidades indígenas, cada una con lengua propia) preservan hoy su identidad entre la mayoría mestiza y pese al incesante proceso de modernización. Tradición y progreso conviven de un extremo a otro de esta nación donde la pesca, la agricultura, los viejos telares y la cerámica artesanal tienen su sitio junto a las fábricas, los avances del transporte y las comunicaciones.

Aunque las autopistas, la televisión, los teléfonos móviles e internet acercan a la gente, el hecho de ser mexicano continúa significando algo muy distinto para cada uno de los diversos pueblos asentados en las regiones que conforman el País.

Dando a conocer la cultura, gastronomía, arte y folkclore mexicano, promoviendo el turismo en México



 Sun, jungle, desert, traditions and stones with ancient stories to tell are all part of Mexico’s legacy.  Best of all, you’re invited to come and take part in it!

From the arid horizons of the northern mountains, where the Paquime labyrinths and old ceramics tell of hard times in a harsh climate, to the fertile land sheltering Palenque's temples and the underwater treasures lurking inside Yucatan’s cenotes, Mexico preserves ancient testimonies of great towns and wise men and women who, throughout its history have deciphered the cycles of earth and sky.
Venture to southern Mexico and you’ll learn about the Olmecs, the first highly developed civilization in America, who settled in what today is Tabasco back in 1200 BC.
The ancient city and temple complex ofTeotihuacan, the “Place where Gods are made”, may have reached a population of around 200, 000 at its peak, bigger than many European Capitals by that time. Walk the Calzada de los Muertos or climb to the top of the Piramide del sol to breathe in the history of these sacred surroundings.

In what is called the “Classic Period” (300-900 BC), Mayan civilization bloomed in south-eastern Mexico and Guatemala.  You won't find it easy to choose between the temples of Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Tulum -the only seaside archaeological city in Mexico- and Palenque’s mythical temples in northern Chiapas. If you have time to see them all, you'll notice Mayan architecture acquired different Mayan styles due to the peoples' intense commercial interaction with central Mexico and Guatemala.

A mighty imperial power, the Aztecs became the dominant culture in the post-classical period (900-1521 AD), and, thankfully for us, magnificent Aztec sculptural and architectural pieces survived the Spanish conquest. Mexico City itself is the best example of what are known as superimposed cities: pre-hispanic Tenochtitlan lies underneath the capital of colonial New Spain, which has in turn been topped by what we now know as Mexico City.  A visit to Templo Mayor (main temple) makes this fact clear for locals and visitors. In the same city, the Anthropology museum –the largest in Mexico- houses and exhibits the most select collection of national archaeology in the country; all the major pre-hispanic cultures are represented here. We strongly recommend at least a couple days to enjoy this astonishing building.



Easily the best known and well-restored of Yucatan Maya archaeological sites, Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” The ruins at Chichen Itza cover an area of 6.5 sq km (2.5 sq miles) and can be toured in a day.
Chichen Itza has two distinct architectural zones. The southern zone dates back to the 7th century and showcases Chichen Itza’s early construction in the traditional Puuc Maya style of the Yucatan region. The central zone was constructed after the arrival of the Toltecs around the 10th century and showcases a unique fusion of highland central Mexican and Puuc architectural styles.
Chichén Itza’s most impressive sights and structures are located in the central zone. Here you’ll find the Juego de Pelota (Ball Court), several platforms, temples and the spectacular El Castillo (Pyramid of Kukulkan), a massive 25m stone representation of the Maya calendar. Toltec warriors are represented in the carvings around the doorway at the top of El Castillo.
Local guides at the site can provide detailed information about Chichen Itza and even lead you to a cenote (underwater sinkhole). The Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote) at Chichen Itza is believed to have been used by the ancient Maya for ceremonial purposes including human sacrifice.
Each year during the spring and autumn equinoxes the sun produces the illusion of a serpent ascending or descending the steps of the Pyramid of Kukulkán, a fantastic phenomenon that attracts huge crowds. The illusion is reproduced at the sound and light show that takes place nightly at the archaeological site.
You can visit these Mexican ruins on a day trip or tour to Chichen Itza, or stay overnight in a restored hacienda. The nearby Hacienda Chichen is the oldest hacienda in the Yucatán region and has been beautifully restored and converted into a luxury hotel and spa.