Parque Azcapotzalco

The Parque Azcapotzalco surrounds the government administrative buildings for the Alcaldía Azcapotzalco. Administration used to be concentrated in the building that today houses the Azcapotzalco Casa de Cultura.

The giant Parque Tezozómoc is roughly a 15-minute drive to the west. But this park, with the famous statue to the same Tezozomoc (pictured), is home to nearly as many interesting places. Not least the esplanade and open areas centered on the statue above. There are also gardens, trees, and recreation areas.

• Tezozomoc Yacateteltetl (1320 – 1426) was the Tepanec leader of ancient Azcapotzalco. Widely considered a military and political genius, he was the historical enemy of the Mexica of Tenochtitlan. He was also the dominant power of the Valley of Mexico of his time. Only upon his death in 1426 would the Mexica form the Triple Alliance (1427) to expand their own empire.

The park faces the Parque Siglo XX, the site of the old market. The new market is just next to it. This smaller park is today the garden of the José María Morelos y Pavón Public Libary.

On the alcaldía grounds, that is, within the Parque Azcapotzalco, one finds a lively monument to Fernando Montes de Oca. Montes de Oca was Azcapotzalco’s own amongst the Niños Héroes. The national heroes died protecting Chapultepec Hill from the US invasion in 1847. The broader plaza is also named for Montes de Oca.

There’s also a monument to Matlakoatl and Azcueitl. According to legend, they founded the altepetl of Azcapotzalco in 1152. That monument was dedicated in 2018.

The park is also home to the Videoteca Manuel Alvarez Bravo, a cultural center focused on film screenings. This is almost in the shadow of the children’s hospital that takes up the northwest corner of the block.

The Alcaldía Azcapotzalco explanade and government complex marks the northeast corner of the Historic Center of Azcapotzalco. It’s a concentrated area of sites and attractions.