November 28, 2012

Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico: Museo Nacional de Antropologia; things to do

Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi s/n, in Polanco, 55/5553-6266. 

Regarded as one of the top museums in the world, the Museo Nacional de Antropologia anthropology museum offers an excellent introduction to the culture of Mexico.  It has 23 exhibit halls and displays an impressive collection of Maya and Aztec artifacts.  The well-designed ground-floor rooms are the most popular and include dioramas depicting Mexico City when the Spaniards arrived, a reproduction of part of a pyramid at Teotihuacán, and the round Aztec calendar Sun Stone.  Don’t miss the Teotihuacan (#5), Aztec (#7), or Maya (#10) rooms. 

Upstairs you’ll see the Mexico of today through music, crafts, and clothing.  An enormous central courtyard, anchored by a pond populated with turtles and koi, makes a choice resting spot, and indigenous Totonac people “fly” from a high pole in that area several times each day.  A pleasant, well-priced restaurant provides some outdoor seating.




images c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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