Hidden away in a little travelled neighborhood of Mexico City is a park locally known as the Sunken Garden, although its formal name is Luis G. Urbina Park. The park is a recreational zone for the people in the area and sits on top of what used to be a tile factory. It was this former use that gave the park its unofficial name because the act of extracting material from the ground in the making of bricks for construction caused the area to sink. As time went by the park was developed and the land was covered with trees and bushes giving a special geographical attraction to the park.

The interesting aspect of this park for a foreign visitor is the myriad of archeological reproductions placed within the park in the 1970’s. Among the most notable are: the huge Olmec piece known as the “Torso Colosal “ (Colossal Torso) found in Misantla, Veracruz, the “Tlaloc” (Rain God), found in Teayo, Veracruz. This impressive piece had a perforated chest in which a piece of green jade was inserted. From the Mayan Culture of Yucatan one can see reproductions of a large panel called “Dios Kukulcán” (Kukulcan God) from Chichen Itzan, Yucatan. This panel presents an eagle with the head of a serpent in its claws from which extends a bi-furcated tongue and a human head with a youth’s face. This is a representation of the God Kukulcan who was believed to be part bird and serpent.

The central plaza of the park is dedicated to Dolores del Rio a beloved Mexican actress best known for her role in the movie Maria Candelaria.

As one heads further down into the park there is a lovely functioning clock made from flowers by artisans from the State of Puebla. Behind the clock is a flag pole where a huge Mexican flag flies in the breeze. Here one sees a carved stone with two human hearts which symbolize the union of water and fire.

The park is located between the streets of Coronel Porfirio Diaz and Millet in the southern part of the City. It is pleasant to visit for its own sake but for a visitor with limited time, this city park provides a glimpse into the ancient Olmec, Maya, Zapotec and Totonaca cultures with the reproductions of their significant archeological treasures.