Toluca, Mexico

Toluca is the state capital of Mexico. Toluca is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico.

Most vistors go straight to the Cosmovitral, an indoor botanical garden housed in stained glass designed by the artist Leopolodo Flores. The stained glass depicts the human struggle between good and evil and is said by some to the largest stained glass mural in the world.

When Toluca was founded by the Matlazincas, its original name was Nepintahihui (land of corn). It is also referred to in a number of Aztec codices as Tolutepetl, meaning hill of the god Tolo, referring to the nearby volcano Nevado de Toluca.

Toluca has one of the largest bus terminals in the country.

Plaza de los Martires (Plaza of the Martyrs), also know as the Zocalo, which includes buildings such as the Palace of the State Government and the Justice Palace (Palacio de Justicia).

The Temple of La Merced is one of the most ancient convents still preserved and one of the most important founded by Spaniards.

The Cosmovitral is located in a stone and ironwork building in the center of Toluca built in 1910 by engineer Manuel Arratia in order to accommodate the "16 de Septiembre" market.

Los Portales represent the social and commercial life of the city.

The Plaza de Fray Andrés de Castro is located next to Los Portales and connected to the older arches by means of a passageway with a transparent roof.

The Cathedral of Toluca was begun in 1867 by José Francisco de Paula on land originally belongin to the Asunción de Toluca Franciscan monastery.