Palacio de Bellas Artes

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The building is so heavy that it has sunk several meters into the soft clay soil of Mexico City since construction began.

2. 2

   The interior lobby features a famous Art Deco clock that includes a map of the world instead of traditional numbers.

3. 3

   The Tiffany glass curtain in the main theater weighs 22 tons and consists of nearly a million pieces of colored glass.

4. 4

   The structure's exterior is clad in white Carrara marble, while the interior is finished with Mexican marble in various colors.

5. 5

   It originally began construction as a replacement for the National Theater, intending to celebrate the centenary of Mexican independence.

Overview

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is Mexico's premier cultural center, housed in a distinctive structure that combines Art Nouveau exteriors with Art Deco interiors. Designed by Italian architect Adamo Boari and completed by Mexican architect Federico Mariscal, construction spanned from 1904 to 1934 due to the Mexican Revolution and soil subsidence. The building is renowned for its iconic roof of orange and yellow tiles, which are clearly visible from surrounding elevated viewpoints. Inside, the venue hosts permanent and temporary art exhibitions, as well as performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Ballet Folklórico de México. The interior features murals by major Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo. The structure serves as both a concert hall and a visual arts museum, functioning under the auspices of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature.

Insider tips

• View the murals on the upper floors first to avoid the heaviest crowds that gather at the ground-level entrance.

• Check the official schedule in advance to see if a rehearsal for the Ballet Folklórico is open to the public.

• Visit the cafeteria on the top floor for an elevated vantage point of the building's intricate dome.