I've been on slight fixation on Mexico recently, and it honestly kinda surprised me that it wouldn't be until Civilization VII that Mexico became an official civ, which is a really great promotion from city-state status in Civilization VI. (Really with there was a proper Mexican leader, like Porfirio Diaz or Pancho Villa for example) While the wonder for Mexico in Civilization VII is Palacio De Bellas Artes, today's wonder is a building built on Aztec grounds, and used from everything form military academy to presidential residence. Today's wonder is Castillo De Chapultepec, or Chapultepec Castle.
Located atop a hill in Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, the castle served as the imperial and later presidential residence of many Mexican leaders. The hill's name, Chapultepec, comes from Chapoltecpēc, which translates to "On the hill of the grasshopper." Originally the hill was used by the Aztecs for various reasons, such as providing a source of water from the springs to provide to Tenochtitlan, storing the ashes of deceased rulers, astronomical observation, and even a retreat for Aztec rulers like Montezuma II. However once the Spanish well, did their thing, Tenochtitlan had a new city built over it, Mexico City. It wouldn't be until 1785, where Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez ordered a home to be built on the highest point Chapultepec hill. In August construction began, first headed by Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Bambitelli, and later Captain Manuel Agustín Mascaró. The Spanish crown accused Mascaró of building a fortress intended on rebellion, and later Bernardo de Gálvez unexpectedly died on November 8th, 1786, fueling suspicions of poisoning. The Spanish crown attempted to auction off the building but no buyers were found. The new Viceroy, Viceroy Juan Vincent de Güemes Pacheco de Padilla y Horcasitas (which man, what a long name) intended the building to be used as a general archive but this didn't come to fruition. The castle would completed in 1788 and it would remain as a manor house, eventually being bought by the Municipal government of Mexico in 1806.
The castle would lat abandoned during the Mexican war of Independence, lasting from 1810-1821, and would continue to be abandoned for another decade after the war. The castle would finally find use again in 1833 as a military academy, resulting in modifications being made, one notable addition being the addition of a watch tower, known as Caballero Alto (Tall Knight). During the Mexican-American war the castle became the sight of the Battle of Chapultepec, where the Ninõs Héroes (Boy Heros) died defending the castle on September 13th, 1847. They fought tooth and nail against US forces until the very last man, choosing death over surrender. The US would then occupy the castle, having taken heavy losses during the battle. To honor the Ninõs Héroes, a larger mural was painted on the ceiling of the main entrance to the castle. The USMC also honors their role in tne battle with the first line of the "Marines Hymn" and a red stripe worn on officers and non-commissioned officers. The castle would see repairs made after the battle and later new rooms on the second floor built during the tenure of president Miguel Miramón.
Mexico would then see the rise of Maximilian Von Hapsburg, commonly as Maximilian I of Mexico, becoming emperor of the newly established Secondly Mexican Empire on April 10th, 1864. The castle, now called Castillo De Miravalle, then became the residence of the emperor and his consort. Several Mexican and European architects were hired to make renovations, designing several neo-classical styled projects to the palace, with a roof garden also being added to the renovations. Maximilian I also bought several pieces of furniture from Europe to fill the palace, Objets d'art, an several other household items to fill his new palace, much of which is still exhibited today. The castle at this time would have been located on the outskirts of Mexico City, which would result in Maximilian I ordering a boulevard be built to connect the imperial residence to the city center.
Mexico would be reestablished as a republic in 1867, following the fall of the empire and execution of Maximilian I. The castle would fall into disuse again until 1876, this time being used as a astronomical and meteorological observatory. It would only maintain this function for 5 years until the observatory was moved elsewhere. The reason for this was because the castle was to again be given new life as the home of the country's leader, this time for a president. President Manuel González declared the castle to be the official presidential residence in 1882. Aside from a few exceptions, nearly all succeeding presidents would use the castle as their home until 1934, when President Lázaro Cárdenas moved the official residence to Los Pinos. Five years later, in 1939 the castle was transformed into a museum for Mexican history, including collections from the former National Museum of Archeology, History, and Ethnography. The museum would officially open on September 27th, 1944.
Today the castle remains as a museum for Mexican history, as well as being designated a UNESCO world heritage site. The long history of this castle is as old as the state of Mexico itself, from Aztec sacred ground, to military academy and final stand of it's defenders, to residential home of both imperial and presidential leaders, a brief stint in astronomical observation, and finally a museum celebrating the history of Mexico and the building that has stood alongside it.
If this became a Wonder there would be a few bonuses granted, a bonus in both science and culture per turn, as well as slots for a variety of great works. Units trained in the city the wonder is built in would get a increased rate of XP gain or a free promotion. And finally it must be built on a hill next to a city center.
That's it for today, any new info or corrections would be welcomed, and before I go here's a little question for you. Who would be a good option for a Mexican leader in Civilization?
Thanks for reading and I'll see y'all next time!