Plaza de las Tres Culturas

I stopped by this plaza to check it out based on the historical significance. The Tlatelolco massacre in 1968 happened in this plaza. It was interesting but pretty underwhelming. Only a few people were there and it hadn’t been kept up all that well. The idea to celebrate three cultures coming together seems great but the plaza wasn’t all that impressive.

Please do not miss out tu visit The rear part outside The church there Is an interesting museum.

If you have someone with you to explain the arquitechual and cultural importance of the area it's a wonderful experience.

Loved it.. the time we were there, the church was closed for remo...

The nearest train station is Tlateloco, it’s a short walk to the square if the three cultures. Very well preserved place and there is no entrance fee. The church is very beautiful and during the weekend their is also a ceremony.

This is the main square within the Tlatelolco neighbourhood of Mexico City. The name "Three Cultures" recognizes the three periods of Mexican history as shown by buildings in the square: pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial, and the independent nation. Interesting to note the contrast and merge of the different cultures

Place to learn about the troublesome history of Mexico city reaching from the initial settlement over territorial wars and religious influece until its modern state. Highly recommend to come with a guide to explain the history and events in detail.

We came here as part of a smaller tour and it was nice experience with a lot of historical significance. Throughout our tour of Mexico City, there was always various references of the Spanish influence in the history and development of the city. The site clearly depicts the three periods of Mexican history reflected in the architecture of the buildings. The plaza, designed my Mexican architect Mario Pani, was the sight of the Tlatelolco Massacre and is honored by a large memorial stone.

I stopped by this plaza to check it out based on the historical significance. The Tlatelolco massacre in 1968 happened in this plaza. It was interesting but pretty underwhelming. Only a few people were there and it hadn’t been kept up all that well. The idea to celebrate three cultures coming together seems great but the plaza wasn’t all that impressive.

Please do not miss out tu visit The rear part outside The church there Is an interesting museum.

If you have someone with you to explain the arquitechual and cultural importance of the area it's a wonderful experience.

Loved it.. the time we were there, the church was closed for remo...

The nearest train station is Tlateloco, it’s a short walk to the square if the three cultures. Very well preserved place and there is no entrance fee. The church is very beautiful and during the weekend their is also a ceremony.

This is the main square within the Tlatelolco neighbourhood of Mexico City. The name "Three Cultures" recognizes the three periods of Mexican history as shown by buildings in the square: pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial, and the independent nation. Interesting to note the contrast and merge of the different cultures

Place to learn about the troublesome history of Mexico city reaching from the initial settlement over territorial wars and religious influece until its modern state. Highly recommend to come with a guide to explain the history and events in detail.

We came here as part of a smaller tour and it was nice experience with a lot of historical significance. Throughout our tour of Mexico City, there was always various references of the Spanish influence in the history and development of the city. The site clearly depicts the three periods of Mexican history reflected in the architecture of the buildings. The plaza, designed my Mexican architect Mario Pani, was the sight of the Tlatelolco Massacre and is honored by a large memorial stone.

The name, Plaza de las Tres Culturas or Plaza of the Three Cultures, can be applied to many sites throughout Mexico. It's the intersection of ancient civilization, their Spanish conquerors and modern culture. In this case, the ancients are the Aztecs and the remnants of their city of Tlatelolco in these stone expansive foundations seem to be faring better than the Spanish church, built in 1610, that lords its precarious shadow like a sundial over it all. In the late 19th century, during the regime of President Porfirio Díaz, this Church of Santiago was converted to an explosives warehouse. In 1948, the building made a return as a church although it appears as if a mere firecracker could send this volcanic stone edifice crashing to the ground. This area has become known for war, protest, and death. In 1473, a war between Aztec factions of Tenochtitlán and Tlatelolco led to many deaths here. (The remains of 54 people from that war were discovered here and a couple, seen in an embrace, is referred to as the Lovers of Tlatelolco.) Hernán Cortés invaded here in 1521 and was victorious over Cuauhtémoc. Dead bodies were supposedly everywhere stacked high one upon another. The pre-Columbian era was officially over. The modern era has not immunized this area from death, either. Hundreds of student protesters were massacred here in 1968 by troops of President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. His extreme actions to enforce order and present stability to the world on the eve of the Mexico City Olympics resulted in world-wide infamy. There are no jaw-dropping pyramids or macabre sculptures on display so architecture takes a back seat to history and, surprisingly, modern life because this area still sees protests. Nearby murals attest to that. When I walk the platforms that snake through this complex, I look up at the surrounding 20th century apartment complexes and offices towers then wonder what residents see when they look out of their windows to Plaza de las Culturas? Do they visualize a thriving pre-Columbian marketplace considered the largest in the entire valley of Mexico, an ancient bloody battleground, or a center of protest that helps define the current culture and direction of a future Mexico?