Mexico City Attractions

Venue: Palacio de las Bellas Artes    When: Daily

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is the most important performing arts venue in the capital, and a fine example of early 20th-century architecture.

During the era of Mexican despot Porfírio Diaz a tendency arose in Mexican society to imitate European styles both in fashion, daily customs and architecture. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was decided that a new National Theatre should be constructed. The old one was demolished and the Palacio de las Bellas Artes was built in its place by architect Adamo Boari.

With a large auditorium designed to seat 1791 and a presidential stage, Boari incorporated all the latest technology used in the best theatres of the time. The construction was expected to take four years, but due to the Mexican Revolution Boari left the country in 1916 and work only really restarted in 1932 under the direction of Federico Marisco, who completed the building in 1934.

The result is a spectacular edifice decorated with marble columns and sculptures by various artists. Particularly notable are Art Deco decoration with steel Mayan masks and bronze cacti, an incredible glass mosaic, designed by Tiffany Studios in New York, depicting the valley of Mexico, and murals by Diego Rivera and Rufina Tamayo, among others.

Following its inauguration the Palace housed a theatre, an art and a book museum, a library and a restaurant. From 1946 it also became home to the National Arts Institute (INBA) and today is the most important culture centre in the Mexican Republic.