Now, what does Romeo + Juliet have to do with Chapultepec Castle Mexico City?

Stay with me now, some scenes from the film Romeo + Juliet were filmed there.

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ROMEO + JULIET

at Chapultepec Castle Mexico City

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

~

Juliet

Romeo + Juliet

Shakespeare

Like the balcony at Chapultepec Castle

in Romeo and Juliet Mexico City

Chapultepec Castle Mexico City

Chapultepec Castle Mexico City is one of the top places to visit there.

Why?

Some scenes of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet film by Baz Luhrmann were filmed here. Verona was set in Mexico City for the movie.

Are there places you visit or want to visit because of a movie or TV show or series? Well for me, Romeo and Juliet was one of those movies.

We stepped back in time! And, explored one of the oldest castles in Latin America. We saw its grandeur and beauty from the stained glass windows, terraces, staircases, courtyards, big murals, and historical artifacts that took us on a journey back through time. You can go on this journey, too.

Chapultepec Castle Mexico City - Castillo de Chapultepec

Chapultepec Castle stands on Chapultepec Hill. It’s situated in a large park, the Bosque de Chapultepec. The Spanish built it in the 18^th Century.

Inside the castle, we visited the National Museum of History. We explored the rooms and saw displays from the past including weapons and uniforms that were used during the War of Independence.

Romeo + Juliet Reforma Scene

You hear the blades of the helicopter whir.

The filming swoops across the cityscape.

And, you glide from above thru Paseo de la Reforma.

The building on the left has a Capulet sign on its roof.

And, a building opposite on the right has Montague at the top.

In between is a big statue of Jesus.

Paseo de la Reforma

Paseo de la Reforma is the “Promenade of the Reform”.

I noticed in this area of Mexico City that there is an array of red colors in the buildings and on the rooftops.

Since the film was made in 1996. The structure of the buildings on Paseo de la Reforma has been transformed. See in the pictures the skyscrapers stand out in the sky.

If you make a comparison to the scenes in Romeo and Juliet, the buildings are not so tall compared to the skyscrapers.

View from Chapultepec Castle Mexico City

I saw the six white and black poles from the castle, the Niños Héroes Monument. The official name is the Altar a la Patria, Altar to the Fatherland.

They represent the six cadets killed in the Battle of Chapultepec between Mexico and the US in 1847. And inside are their remains in urns. Underneath the main statue, lies the remains of Colonel Felipe Santiago Xicoténcatl.

Further in the distance, I saw the monument Estela de Luz.  This monument commemorates the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution and the Bi-centennial of Mexican Independence.

Then, we walked past the monument.

Torre (Tower)

In 2014, I stood on the terrace of Chapultepec Castle and looked down Paseo de la Reforma. And, I could see the tall towers that have been built and those under construction.

On the left, you can see Torre Mayor and Torre Reforma. In front of Torre Mayor, you can see boarding up, which could be the start of Chapultepec Uno.

And, on the right, you see BBVA Torre. You can see cranes on the towers reflecting that they are in construction mode.

Capulet + Montague

When I attempted to work out which buildings on Paseo de la Reforma were chosen to have the family signs put on them.

First, I noticed that there are several monuments and roundabouts along Paseo de la Reforma. But, there’s no Jesus one.

The result!

It’s the green building on the left that made me aware. That the Angel of Independence has been altered to appear in the scene.

The green building is the Sheraton Mexico City Maria Isabel Hotel. It has the Capulet sign on it.

Diagonally across the road is the Torre del Angel. And, it has the Montague sign standing on it.

The National Museum of History

Museo Nacional de Historia

What Can You See Inside Chapultepec Castle?

Well, some of the things you can see at Chapultepec Castle and the National Museum of History follow.

The Museum and history rooms

• Large Painted Murals adorn the walls of Chapultepec Castle. They portray the history of Mexico.
  • Events leading to the Independence from Spain, 16 September 1815
  • Reform and Fall of the Empire
  • The Fusion of Two Cultures
  • Porfirian Feudalism
  • Mexican Revolution and its Story
  • 1917 Constitution
  • the Battle at Chapultepec Castle against American forces
• Military uniforms, canons, guns
• The Mexican Coat of Arms: A Mexican Eagle sits on a cactus eating a rattlesnake standing on a lake
• The Mexican Flag
• Period Dresses
• Paintings including painting of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral at Zocalo
• Furniture

Chapultepec Castle and Architecture and The Imperial Residence

We saw the soaring turrets, grand balconies, staircases, walls, and towers of the castle.

Plus, we explored the gardens with fountains and statues, terraces, and balconies with views of the landscape and trees. And, we looked down Paseo de la Reforma.

From the exterior, we could look into the doorways of the chambers in the Imperial Residence, like the Dining Room and the Living Room.

Chapultepec Castle and Architecture

• Stair Cases
• Balconies
• Garden of Alcazar
• Elevator
• Stained Glass Windows
• Tower
• Terrace
• Views of the surrounding area

Stained Glass Windows

The Imperial Residence

• Bedrooms
• Living Room
• Sitting Room
• Portrait of Carlota of Mexico
• Portrait of Maximilian I of Mexico
• Carriage Room
• Dining Room
• Tea Room
• Bathroom

When is Chapultepec Castle Mexico City Open?

It is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm.

The museum is not open on Mondays.

What’s the Best Way to See Chapultepec Castle Mexico City?

The best way to see Chapultepec Castle is with a guided tour.

We booked a guided tour for the two of us. It included the Museo Nacional de Antropologia. (open Tuesdays to Sundays 9 am to 7 pm. Closed Mondays.)

And, we stopped at a place for lunch.

We walked between the castle, the museum, and the lunch stop back to the tram.

How to Get to Chapultepec Castle Mexico City?

At the bottom of the hill, there are the ticket gates. You will find lockers to store bags.

Then, you can walk leisurely up the hill to the castle and its gardens.

Inside, it houses the museum. And, you can walk around the building.

On a balcony, you can imagine Juliet standing there. And down below, Romeo listens to Juliet speak.

You can stay at a hotel in Paseo de la Reforma. And, you can catch the tram that goes to and through the park.

What Attractions Are Near Chapultepec Castle?

• National Museum of Anthropology - Nacional Museo de Antropologia
• The Chapultepec Zoo - El Zoológico de Chapultepec
• Museum of Modern Art – Museo de Arte Moderno
• A Market

Where is Chapultepec Castle?

Chapultepec Castle is located on a hill in Chapultepec Park, Bosque de Chapultepec. It's in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City.

For the location of Chapultepec Castle on the map click here.

Mexico City Travel

Things to Do in Mexico City

Read my posts to find more things to do in Mexico City

• Mexico City Things to Do
• Teotihuacán Day Trip from Mexico City
• Day of the Dead: Where to Experience 
• Day of the Dead Cemetery Experience
• Day of the Dead at Night
• Day of the Dead: Spectre & Mexico City

Romeo + Juliet

Did you study one of Shakespeare’s plays at school? Macbeth was the one that I did.

Which one did you study? Have you read Romeo + Juliet? Leave a Comment!