Mexico City was traditionally known as ''La Ciudad de los Palacios'' ("the City of the Palaces"), a nickname attributed to Baron Alexander von Humboldt when visiting the city in the 19th century, who, sending a letter back to Europe, said Mexico City could rival any major city in Europe. But it was English politician Charles Latrobe who really penned the following: "... look at their works: the moles, aqueducts, churches, roads—and the luxurious ''City of Palaces'' which has risen from the clay-builts ruins of Tenochtitlan...", on page 84 of the Letter V of ''The Rambler in Mexico''.