The National Palace is a government building with the office of the President of Mexico and government offices. The palace is located in the center of Mexico City, on the Plaza de la Constitucion - the main square of the capital. In the past, the palace of the Aztec ruler of Montezuma was located on this place. In 1521, on the orders of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico and destroyed the Aztec statehood, construction began on a massive building that was built in the tradition of Spanish architecture of that era. The fortress was called the Palace of Cortes. In 1562, the Spanish crown bought the building from the descendants of Cortes, the palace became the residence of the Viceroy of Mexico and the cabinet. During the riots of 1624 and 1692, the building was almost destroyed. The ruler of Mexico, Gaspard de Sandoval, initiated the restoration of the Baroque palace. In 1821, after the independence of Mexico, the building was named the National Palace, which underwent restructuring under almost every president. In 1920, the third floor was completed. The majestic building has a facade of more than 200 meters in length. The staircase leading to the main courtyard is decorated with frescoes created by Diego Rivera in 1929-1935. These are scenes from the history of the country from ancient times until the 1910 revolution. The right wall depicts the life of local residents before the arrival of the Spaniards, the central panel is painted with images illustrating the struggle against the conquistadors, and the paintings on the left side of the wall are dedicated to the life of the country after the establishment of Spanish rule. The central panel tells the story of Mexico gaining independence. The walls of the corridor of the second floor were painted by the artist later, the paintings are dedicated to the life of the country in the Pre-Hispanic era. In the rooms in which President Benito Juarez lived and worked, a museum was created. It contains a collection of furniture and works of art: paintings, dishes, candelabra and vases. In the garden adjacent to the Empress’s chapel, cactus species are planted in the desert part of the country, as well as tropical plants characteristic of southeastern Mexico. The palace houses the Miguel Lerdo de Tejada National Archives and Library, the Chancellery of the Ministry of Finance and the House of Parliament. The history of the National Palace is inextricably linked with the history of the country, is a historical and architectural monument. According to tradition, on the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day, the president of the country speaks to the people from the central balcony of the palace, a bell rings, and a crowd of thousands gathered in the square chants "Viva México!"
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