The bread of kings surrounds Mexico City’s Zocalo

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Mexico City’s Zocalo was surrounded by more than 11 tons of bread Monday when thousands of bakers from around the city created a 1,600-meter-long Rosca de Reyes, a sweet, dry bread Mexicans eat in celebration of the Nativity’s three wise men.

The bread was unveiled Sunday in the city’s big, central square and was cut up and shared among an estimated 200,000 people gathered downtown.

Mexicans will celebrate the Epiphany on Tuesday, Jan. 6, marking the day when Christians believe the three wise men followed the sky’s brightest star to Bethlehem and gave the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Stay tuned for more on the demand for La Rosca de Reyes here in Mexico City.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City