Plaza Juárez

Representing the new face of the zone, this modern plaza is across the way from the Alameda’s Hemiciclo a Juárez, a semicircle of marble columns dedicated to post­independence president Benito Juárez, and behind the fully restored Templo de Corpus Christi, which now holds the DF’s archives. The plaza’s centerpiece is a pair of Tetris-block towers by leading Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta: the 24-story Foreign Relations Secretariat building and the 23-story Tribunales (courts) building. Fronting these monoliths is some interesting art, including a bronze aviary by Mexican sculptor Juan Soriano and, near the west entrance, a David Alfaro Siqueiros mosaic entitled Velocidad (Speed), originally designed for a Chrysler factory. Perhaps the most arresting piece, though, is a set of 1034 reddish pyramids in a broad pool, a collaboration between Legorreta and Spanish artist Vicente Rojo. The plaza also hosts some excellent photo exhibits.