Which cathedral in Mexico City stands on the former Aztec sacred precinct?

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City stands on the former Aztec sacred precinct.

The cathedral occupies the northern side of Mexico City’s main square, the Zócalo, in the historic center. That area was part of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, whose ceremonial precinct included major temples. After the Spanish conquest, the colonial city was built over the Aztec capital, and a cathedral was established near the former sacred center.

Construction of the present cathedral began in 1573 and continued for nearly three centuries. Its design combines several architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements. The building was consecrated in 1667, although work on parts of the complex continued afterward.

The cathedral is formally dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Its location often leads to an oversimplification: the current structure does not preserve an intact Aztec temple beneath its entire footprint. Instead, it forms part of a layered archaeological and colonial landscape, alongside the remains of the Templo Mayor and other structures from historic Tenochtitlan.