Colonia Cuauhtémoc is located just west of the Centro Historico. It's not as hip or trendy as some of the nearby neighborhoods. It's primarily a residential neighborhood, largely middle-class without quite so much of the flashy boutique atmosphere that drives Roma or Condesa, with just one strip along Paseo de la Reforma that allows for some commercial development. Still, that strip is fairly important. It holds several embassies, and some major financial buildings, including the Mexican Stock Exchange. And, as Condesa (link to restaurants or hotels) and Roma have illustrated, just because a neighborhood is mostly residential doesn't mean it can't be fun.
Monumento a Cuauhtémoc
Cuauhtémoc was the last Mexica ruler of Tenochtitlan before it was Mexico City. The Colonia is named after him, as is the larger borough that includes it, Centro Histórico, Roma, Condesa, and more. This neoindigenismo sculpture was built as part of a larger discussion in the late 19th century about Mexico's national identity. The statue blends elements of Greco-Roman statuary with traditional Aztec design, and today it's one of the most recognizable symbols of the whole city.
Cinépolis Diana
Cinépolis is the fourth-largest movie theater exhibitor in the world, though you may not have heard of it unless you live in California or Florida, where it's starting to get a foothold in the U.S. This particular Cinépolis is a little contentious. Reviewers regularly say that it's one of the oldest-looking theaters in the chain, but people are also quick to point out that they show arthouse films far more often than other locations in the city. As for the experience itself, think something like Alamo Drafthouse—large leather seats and cocktail service in the movie itself. If you're going to do something like seeing a film while you're in another country, you'll want to do it in a theater that's unique to the region, and this is a good place to do that.
Angel de la Independencia
Angel de la Independencia is another famous national monument, conveniently located along the same street as Monumento a Cuauhtémoc. There are multiple parts to this monument. The main part is an enormous column, atop which sits Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding a laurel crown and a broken chain for victory and independence. Surrounding the column on two tiers are statues of heroes from the War of Independence, and at the base of the whole thing is a statue of a lion being led by a child. If all of this sounds grandiose, well, it sort of is, but it's well-earned. Mexico's independence was hard-won. It gets better, too—many of the heroes of the revolution are actually interred in a mausoleum in the base of the monument, including Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, considered the "Father of the Mexican Nation." His likeness is one which surrounds Nike, and she holds her crown of laurels over his head in particular to accentuate his importance.
Restaurants on Rio Lerma
We have a whole other article on where to eat in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, but since the restaurant row of Rio Lerma is one of the main reasons to swing by (if you're not already here on business,) it deserves a mention all its own. Try Rokai or Bravo Loncheria, for a start.
(featured image via Flickr)
