Alameda Park

Today, visitors are frequently surprised by the greenery in Alameda Park.

Cottonwood trees (alamos) were planted in the late 1500s and these trees (long gone) give the park its name.

Geometric pathways are bordered by short metal fences, which do a poor job of keeping people off the grass! There is great variety of trees here, and despite the smog, mornings are a good time to see some of Mexico's bird life. The most spectacular of the trees are the jacarandas which bloom with lavender flowers in February and March. The park attracts pedestrians, cotton-candy vendors, strollers, lovers, and organ grinders.

A recent addition are the Charros police, who patrol the park on horseback.

Viceroy Luis de Velasco created the park in 1592, just in front of the square of the Inquisition. Initially square, the park was enlarged into a rectangular shape between 1766 and 1771.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sculptures were installed as centerpieces to the park's eight fountains. The most famous hemiciclo (half-circle) monument honors President Benito Juárez and is located on the park's southern side, facing Avenida Juárez.

In the 1860s Empress Carlotta took interest in the park and in the late 1800s the park was spruced up with European statues and fountains and in 1892 the park even had electric lights. During this time the park was reserved for the aristocracy. Access was prohibited for the 'barefoot peasants'.

The park has been so popular in Mexican folklore that many city parks take the name 'Alameda' in homage. Besides being a pleasant place to visit, the park features a number of monuments and museums, like the palace of fine arts and the Latin America Tower.