Mexico's Volcanoes 2008
Climbing the main volcanoes in Mexico during the year 2008: Iztaccihuatl, La Malinche, Nevado de Toluca, and Sierra Negra
Idioma/Language: English Español - Visita también: Volcanes de México 2009 - Volcanes de México 2010
Climbing the main volcanoes in Mexico during the year 2008: Iztaccihuatl, La Malinche, Nevado de Toluca, and Sierra Negra
Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec in Spanish) is located on top of Chapultepec Hill. The name Chapultepec stems from the Náhuatl word chapoltepēc which means "at the grasshopper's hill". It is located in the middle of Chapultepec Park in Mexico City at a height of 2,325 meters (7,628 ft) above sea level. The site of the hill was a sacred place for Aztecs, and the buildings atop it have served several purposes during its history; including that of Military Academy, Imperial residence, Presidential home, observatory, and presently, the Museo Nacional de Historia.
Source: Chapultepec Castle, Wikipedia
Currently, the Castle hosts the Museo Nacional de Historia (National Museum of History). This museum is a "must-visit", as its permanent exhibitions will explain the most important events in the history of Mexico: the prehispanic period (...- 1521), the Kingdom of New Spain (1521-1821), the War of Independence (1810-1821), the American invasion, the French intervention, the empire of Maximilian of Hapsburg, the revolution, etc.
The following picture shows the Castle as seen from the Chapultepec Park; in the foreground, part of the Altar to the Fatherland can be seen, to honor the Niños Héroes (Boy Heroes), who died defending the castle during the Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican-American War in 1847 (how strange, the U.S. invading another country, how strange!!):
The watchtower Alcazar, also known as Caballero Alto, a circular tower that is located inside the Chapultepec Castle:
One of the stained glass windows inside the Castle, with a picture of the famous "chapulin" (grasshopper):
In Chapultepec Park, the Chapultepec Zoo and numerous museums that are on its outskirts can also be visited.
More information: Guía Turística Chapultepec, official page.