Souvenir of an Earthquake

Over the years, I have posted many photos of Mexico City's Independence Monument.  

If Mexico City has a symbolic landmark, similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it would have to be this monument.  It was built in 1910 along the Paseo de la Reforma to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico's independence.  Everyone refers to it as "El Ángel", because of the gold Winged Victory which tops the 118 foot column.

The "angel" atop the monument is not, however, the original one.  In 1957 Mexico City suffered an earthquake which caused the "angel" to fall to the ground and smash into pieces. 

One of the blogs which I regularly read is the "Mexile" written by an Englishman who spent several years living in Mexico City.  On his blog he posted a photo of a piece of the original angel's head which was on display in a building in downtown Mexico City.  I have searched in vain to find it.

Gary Denness, the author of the blog, said that the location of the angel's head was at the corner of Donceles and República de Chile Streets.   This week, as I was wandering around the "Centro Histórico", I passed the colonial palace which now serves as the Historic Archive of Mexico City. (It is located on that street corner.)   Just inside the doorway there it was!  In plain sight!

I have peeked into the courtyard of that building before, and I know that the angel's head was not by the entrance before.  They must have moved it from somewhere inside to the more visible spot.