PLAZA Y CAPILLA DE LA CONCHITA

Behind the Parroquia San Juan Bautista, this street heading southeast away from the plaza is lined with beautifully renovated colonial homes, including Casa Colorada, site of the first Spanish military encampment in the Valle de México.

  A little farther southeast, Calle de la Higuera passes the Plaza y Capilla de la Conchita. A chapel constructed here in 1521 by order of Cortés was thought to have been the first Christian building in the city. Although officially known as Capilla de la Purísima Concepción, the chapel and surrounding garden are more commonly known by the affectionate nickname La Conchita (The Little Shell). The chapel is thought to be next to a spot where springs once provided water for Tenochititlán, now Mexico City proper.

Parque Santa Catarina

A few blocks west of Parque Centenario along Calle Francisco Sosa is a beautiful small square, fronted by the brightly painted Capilla de Santa Catarina as well as several restored colonial-era houses. On one side is the Casa de Cultura de Coyoacán (Francisco Sosa 202, tel. 5658-7826), which often holds cultural events and art exhibits. It’s worth taking a peek in to admire the rambling old hacienda or take a rest in the lush gardens in back. Heading back toward the center of Coyoacán you’ll find the Instituto Italiano di Cultura (Francisco Sosa 77, tel. 5554-0044), also with art exhibits and other events.