Nestled in the city’s largest park, where most museums are based, this castle was built in 1785 during the viceregal era of New Spain. Its confused décor is a product of a troubled history: after a period as a military academy, it was revamped during the brief reign of the French Emperor Maximilian, and then elaborately tarted up by the dictator Porfirio Diaz (1876-1910). The building was home to Mexico’s presidents until 1940. Today it contains a fine museum of Mexican history, leading up to the 1910 revolution.
On September 13th 1847, Chapultepec castle became the last stronghold of Mexican troops against the invading American army, in a war that ended with Mexico yielding half of its national territory to the gringos. According to legend, Mexico’s imminent defeat led six young cadets to wrap themselves in flags and jump to their deaths from the tower. In front of the castle is a grand, pillared plaza, built in honour of these niños heroes (“heroic children”).
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