Chapultepec Castle

Chapultepec Castle is atop Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park. Over the years, Meixco City's Chapultepec fortress has been involved in takeover plans, allegations of foul play, and executions. Chapultepec means "grasshopper hill" in Spanish. The only royal residences occupied by monarchs in North America are Chapultepec Castle and Iturbide Palace. It was erected during the Viceroyalty of New Spain as a summer residence for the viceroy, the senior colonial official.

It is still the only castle in North America that has functioned as a royal home. It was also renovated in a Neoclassical style, which allegedly made the palace more livable. Because of the presence of monarchy on what was then the outskirts of Mexico City, the city created a neighboring street, which is now known as the lively Paseo de la Reforma. Chapultepec Castle was formerly a royal residence, an observatory, a military academy, and even an official guest home for visiting guests.

The Castle was famously utilized during the production of Baz Luhrmann's massively successful Romeo and Juliet. While the Castle is rumored to be haunted — stories include hearing ghostly footsteps going down the hallways and seeing translucent figures in the darkness – these sightings might be a result of Luhrmann's Hamlet adaption.

Location: Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11100 Mexico City, Mexico
Opening hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Phone number: +52 55 7601 9811
Rating: 4.5/5, 10786 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: https://mnh.inah.gob.mx/home-en