Zocalo / ZOH-cah-loh
At the center of Mexico City’s old town is the Zocalo, an enormous main square that plays host for state functions, public protests, military activities, and the odd heavy metal worship session on Easter. (By “odd” I don’t mean it happens infrequently, I’m sure it happens every year, but man was it strange.) The square is immense — 240 meters on a side — and has a giant flagpole in the center, bearing the Mexican flag.
On the north side of the square is the Metropolitan Cathedral, and on the eastern edge is the Palacio Nacional, the seat of the executive branch of the Mexican government, and home to a magnificent Diego Rivera mural depicting the history of Mexico.