CHAPULTEPEC CASTLE

We thought we would check out this castle built in the late 1700's at the Viceroy's request, but he died a year after construction began in 1786. The castle is locate on top of Chapultepec Hill. It was the official residence of Emperor Mximillian I of Mexico from 1864-67. In 1882, it became the official residence of the president until 1934 and subsequently became a museum.

On the flag of Mexico and here in the museum, there is a sculpture of an eagle with a rattlesnake in its mouth which goes back to Aztec times and is symbollic for triumph of good over evil.

For the seasoned traveler who has seen many castles in Europe, this is just another castle, it is nice, but it is not Versailles. If you decide to go, we discovered after being on a very long line for a very long time, that as a senior citizen, we could have bypassed the line and walked in just with our US Drivers License, so just a tip to keep in mind.