Palacio Nacional
The Palacio Nacional that we see today dates back to 1693, although a floor was added in the 1920s. Inside there is a wonderful collection of murals by Diego Rivera. Diego Rivera’s sweeping, epic murals on the second floor of the main courtyard exert a mesmeric pull. For more than 16 years (1929-45), Rivera and his assistants mounted scaffolds day and night, perfecting techniques adapted from Renaissance Italian fresco painting. The most famous one is the “Epic of the Mexican People in their Struggle for Freedom and Independence", where two thousand years of history are condensed into the space of an enormous wall. The palace also houses a small museum dedicated to Benito Juárez and the Mexican Congress.
Admission: Free
National Palace (Palacio Nacional) : Mexico City
Museo Nacional de Arte (National Art Museum)
This museum is located opposite to the Palacio de Mineria, near the main post office. It was built in 1904 and designed by Italian Architect, Silvio Contri, as the Palacio de Comunicaciones. The building has a magnificent staircase made by the Florentine firm Pignone. It houses and great collection of Mexican paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics, during the 16th century to 1950. It has the largest number of paintings (more than 100) by Jose Maria Velasco in Mexico City.
Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México) is the federal capital of, and largest city in, Mexico. It geographically spans the north portion of the Distrito Federal ("D.F."), although the metropolitan area extends to the state of México to the north of the Federal District, and to the state of Hidalgo. According to government statistics Mexico City is the largest most populous conurbation in North America, and third in the world, after Tokyo, and Sao Paulo, with approximately 22.1 million people. Though its urban area is the third most populous in the world, what is officially known as Mexico City (under
Alameda Central [Historic District] : Mexico City
Alameda Central is a downtown oasis of greenery, fountains and statuary. The imposing Palacio de Bellas Artes, a performing arts venue and a must-see for its art-deco interior, is next to the park. In the part of the Centro Historico between Alameda Central and the Zocalo are several impressive buildings and museums, including the Palacio de Iturbide (an Italian baroque palace), Casa de Azulejos (the House of Tiles), the Correo Central (the lovely main post office), the Museo Nacional de Arte (a grand building with Mexican art exhibits) and Museo de Franz Mayer (religious
Palacio de MinerÃa
Built in the 1800s, This extraordinary palace of learning, part boarding school and part Mines Tribunal (regulatory body for the country's mining industry), was constructed between 1797 and 1813. Under the care of UNAM's Engineering Faculty, this beautiful colonial Palace of Mining is located in the historical center of Mexico City. It has three floors, and houses the International Book Expo ("Feria Internacional del Libro" or "FIL") and the International Day of Computing Security Congress ("DISC"), among regular events. It also has a permanent exhibition of historical books, mostly topological and naturalist works of 19th century Mexican
Palacio Nacional (Building) : Mexico City
Iturbide Palace (Palacio de Iturbide) : Mexico City
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes ("Palace of Fine Arts") is an opera house in Mexico City. It was designed by the Italian architect Adamo Boari in 1901 but construction was not completed until 1934.
The building is famous for both its extravagant Art Nouveau exterior in imported Italian white marble as well as its murals by Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco
(Rivera's "Man in Control of the Universe" (or "Man at the Crossroads") mural was originally painted for the Rockefeller Center in New York City but Rockefeller ordered it destroyed for being too
Antiguo Palacio Federal: Monterrey
Built later than the Government Palace, this functioned as the headquarters of the Federal Executive power. This construction dates back to 1928, and thanks to its original style of straight lines, intense white color, and abundant large windows, it contrasts strongly with the pink stone of the Explanada de los Heroes and with the modern constructions around it. It is also known as the Edificio de Correos (Post Office Building). It was the object of important refurbishment in 1963 and today it looks practically the same as when it was built.
Open Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
Address:
Zaragoza y 5 de
Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (The National Museum of Natural History)
It's a fascinating place for anyone with the slightest curiosity about nature and is totally absorbing for youngsters.
Hours Tues-Sun 10am-5pm
Location Chapultepec Park, Section 2, s/n
Transportation Metro: Constituyentes
Phone 55/5516-2848
Prices Admission $1.50; free admission Tues
