While an aerial photograph might capture the Alameda Central‘s geometric layout, to truly appreciate this iconic park, one must wander its inviting promenades. Far from being a monotonous formal garden, the Alameda Central reveals its charm in its hidden corners, surprising intersections, and the captivating interplay of light and shadow offered by its lush canopy. This beloved space holds a central place in the daily lives of Mexico City residents, and it stands as the oldest public park in the Americas, officially established in 1592.
Originally, this area west of Tenochtitlan served as a bustling marketplace. It was Viceroy Luis de Velasco II who, recognizing the need for green spaces, ordered the creation of a public park for the city’s inhabitants before 1592. Though many Latin American cities boast alamedas, their names are derived from this original, taking inspiration from the Spanish word álamo, meaning poplar tree. Intriguingly, the western part of the park once served as a public plaza for inquisitorial executions, though it’s estimated that only around 30 such events occurred throughout Mexico’s history. This area was likely incorporated into the park around 1791. By 1821, with Mexican Independence achieved, the Alameda had evolved into a form recognizable today, open for public enjoyment. Gas lamps were installed, later upgraded to electric lights by 1892, marking the park’s modernization. Local legend recounts the extravagant celebration of President Santa Anna’s 1846 victory, where the Alameda’s fountains flowed with alcohol for the city’s populace. A significant restoration in 2012 revitalized the park, replacing worn pavement with elegant marble and undertaking a comprehensive replanting of its diverse gardens, including numerous new trees. Emphasis was placed on indigenous flora, and the project is widely hailed as a resounding success, ensuring the Alameda Central remains a vital and beautiful urban oasis in Mexico City.
[Bài viết gốc]:Though one might like to photograph the Alameda Central from the air, the true enchantment of the park can best be understood in strolling its multiple promenades. Perhaps nowhere has the idea of the repetitiveness of a park laid out geometrically, in the style of a formal garden, been more firmly refuted.
The Alameda Central is beloved for its corners. Its confluences and its remarkable shade and light ensure that it plays a central role it plays in the lives of city residents. Officially created in 1592, it’s the oldest public park in the Americas. The area had been a marketplace in the west of Tenochtitlan. Viceroy Luis de Velasco II ordered that a public green space be created for city residents sometime prior to 1592. Although many cities in Latin America also have alamedas, their names come from this one, and from the Spanish word álamo, meaning poplar tree. The western half of the park had previously been an open plaza used for the execution of heretics at the height of the inquisition. (Only about 30 such executions are believed to have been carried out in all of Mexico.) The park was likely expanded to include this area by about 1791. By the time the Mexican war for Independence was won in 1821, the Alameda was open to the public in something like its present form. Gas lamps were installed and these were converted to electric lamps by 1892. Legend has it that the 1846 triumph of President Santa Anna was celebrated by filling the Alameda’s fountains with alcohol so all the city residents could imbibe. The 2012 rehabilitation of the park included replacing all of the damaged pavement with marble. A complete replanting of the many gardens included lots of new trees. Many plants are indigenous to the region and the project has broadly been considered a complete success. There’s more to the area surrounding the Alameda, here.
