Castillo de Chapultepec

View from the bottom of hill.

We walked up the hill - beautiful alameda

A group walking towards the castle

Fountain at the entrance of the "castillo"

This morning we visited "Castillo de Chapultepec" a magnificent palace built at the top of the only hill in the Valley of Mexico City.  It was built in 1785 by Spanish Crown and used by the Viceroy as his summer home.  On September 13, 1847 it was bombed by the Americans (Mexican/American war) and defended by "Los ninos Heroes."  It became the home of  Maximilian of Habsburg in 1864, during French occupation.  More about Don Max http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico
The area was originally occupied by the Mexicas (tribe), many years before the Aztecs.  The "castillo" is currently a museum.  We had a very talented guide who introduced us to Carlota's (Maximiliano's wife) living quarters and other living areas.  Where the stables used to be, it now holds three very important carriages:  1 - Maximiliano's royal carriage, 2 - Maximiliano's daily carriage and 3- Benito Juarez's carriage.  I believe that the third one is the most important one because Benito Juarez is Mexico's first and only indian president (1858 and 1872), a hero for most Mexicans.  More about Don Benito  http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Ju%c3%a1rez

Later on,  we visited the "Museo de Arte Moderno." This magnificent museum is the home of art pieces from Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Remedios Varo, Orozco, Siqueiros and many more wonderful artists.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_de_Arte_Moderno 

Two girls and I had lunch at a delicious "green" restaurant.  The afternoon was dedicated to instruction about our upcoming project - a thematic unit.