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Museums

National Museum of the Revolution

4.7 · 9,732 reviews
Solemn and historical.
National Museum of the Revolution, Plaza, Av. de la República S/N, Tabacalera, Cuauhtémoc, 06030 CDMX, Mexico
Interesting facts
1

The monument's central dome is one of the largest self-supporting arches in the world.

2

The structure's construction spans two different architectural eras, featuring neoclassical elements from the Porfiriato period and Art Deco influences from the post-revolutionary era.

3

The museum interior is designed chronologically, allowing visitors to walk through the various phases of the armed conflict.

4

It houses an extensive collection of personal belongings belonging to Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.

5

The site operates as a mausoleum for several major figures of the Mexican Revolution.

6

The basement location was selected to utilize the existing concrete foundation intended for the never-completed parliament building.

Overview

The National Museum of the Revolution is situated entirely underground within the hollowed-out base of the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico City. The structure was originally intended to be the Federal Legislative Palace, designed by Émile Bénard but abandoned during the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Carlos Obregón Santacilia repurposed the unfinished steel frame into the current Art Deco monument between 1933 and 1938. The museum galleries trace the history of the Mexican Revolution from 1867 to 1917, utilizing original documents, photographs, and personal artifacts of key revolutionary figures. Visitors can access the monument's observation deck via a glass elevator that ascends through the internal steel structure. The site holds the remains of notable revolutionary leaders including Francisco I. Madero, Venustiano Carranza, and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Photo spot

The glass elevator shaft provides a unique perspective of the internal steel support structure.

Insider tips

Combine your museum visit with a trip to the top of the dome for a panoramic view of the city.

Wear comfortable shoes as the museum floor spans a large basement area and the monument involves significant walking.

Visit the park surrounding the monument after your tour to observe local street life and fountain displays.

What to avoid

Do not overlook the external architectural details of the four pillars, which represent Independence, the Reform Laws, the Agrarian Law, and Labor Laws.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Etiquette

Maintain a respectful tone as the facility functions as both a museum and a mausoleum.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid large crowds and weekend social events in the surrounding plaza.
Address
National Museum of the Revolution, Plaza, Av. de la República S/N, Tabacalera, Cuauhtémoc, 06030 CDMX, Mexico
19.436, -99.155
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsPersonal artifacts of Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and the remains of revolutionary presidents.
Architectural featuresArt Deco cupola and original unfinished steel framework of the failed Legislative Palace.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid large crowds and weekend social events in the surrounding plaza..

The glass elevator shaft provides a unique perspective of the internal steel support structure.

Close by you'll find Monument to the Revolution, Alameda Central, The Angel of Independence.