Museo Mural de Diego Rivera (Diego Rivera Mural Museum), Mexico City (must see)
The Diego Rivera Mural Museum (Museo Mural Diego Rivera) stands as a distinctive venue created with a singular purpose鈥攖o showcase Diego Rivera's magnificent mural titled "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central" (Sue帽o de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central).
Originally, this remarkable mural resided in the nearby Hotel del Prado. However, the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1985 severely damaged the hotel, leading to the crucial decision to preserve and relocate the artwork to a safer location.
The delicate transportation of the mural necessitated cutting the wall on which it was painted, and a specially designed metal structure was employed to bear its immense 15-ton weight. This supporting structure remains in place to guard against any future earthquakes. Subsequently, the museum building was constructed around the mural, and in 1988, it was inaugurated in its present location near Alameda Park.
The mural's history traces back to 1946 when the architect Carlos Obreg贸n Santacilia commissioned Diego Rivera to paint it for the Versailles dining room of Hotel del Prado. Rivera's chosen subject for the mural was Alameda Central Park, which lay just across the street.
Diego enthusiastically embraced the task and created a breathtaking fresco that narrated the history of Alameda Park, intertwined with that of Mexico as a whole, spanning from the era of Spanish colonization to the assassination of the democratically elected president, Francisco Madero, and the subsequent years of civil unrest.
This monumental painting measures an impressive 4.7 x 15.6 meters and features over 150 significant figures who have shaped the nation's history. Notable personalities such as Hern谩n Cort茅s, Benito Ju谩rez, Maximiliano de Habsburgo, Francisco I Madero, Porfirio D铆az, and others find their place within the mural. Additionally, common folk like street vendors and revolutionaries, as well as Rivera's wives (including Frida Kahlo) and some of his daughters, are depicted.
Describing the mural, Rivera himself asserted that it encapsulates the memories of his life, encompassing his childhood and youth, spanning from 1895 to 1910. "All the characters are dreaming, some asleep on the benches and others walking and talking," he remarked.
Originally, this remarkable mural resided in the nearby Hotel del Prado. However, the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1985 severely damaged the hotel, leading to the crucial decision to preserve and relocate the artwork to a safer location.
The delicate transportation of the mural necessitated cutting the wall on which it was painted, and a specially designed metal structure was employed to bear its immense 15-ton weight. This supporting structure remains in place to guard against any future earthquakes. Subsequently, the museum building was constructed around the mural, and in 1988, it was inaugurated in its present location near Alameda Park.
The mural's history traces back to 1946 when the architect Carlos Obreg贸n Santacilia commissioned Diego Rivera to paint it for the Versailles dining room of Hotel del Prado. Rivera's chosen subject for the mural was Alameda Central Park, which lay just across the street.
Diego enthusiastically embraced the task and created a breathtaking fresco that narrated the history of Alameda Park, intertwined with that of Mexico as a whole, spanning from the era of Spanish colonization to the assassination of the democratically elected president, Francisco Madero, and the subsequent years of civil unrest.
This monumental painting measures an impressive 4.7 x 15.6 meters and features over 150 significant figures who have shaped the nation's history. Notable personalities such as Hern谩n Cort茅s, Benito Ju谩rez, Maximiliano de Habsburgo, Francisco I Madero, Porfirio D铆az, and others find their place within the mural. Additionally, common folk like street vendors and revolutionaries, as well as Rivera's wives (including Frida Kahlo) and some of his daughters, are depicted.
Describing the mural, Rivera himself asserted that it encapsulates the memories of his life, encompassing his childhood and youth, spanning from 1895 to 1910. "All the characters are dreaming, some asleep on the benches and others walking and talking," he remarked.
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Museo Mural de Diego Rivera (Diego Rivera Mural Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Museo Mural de Diego Rivera (Diego Rivera Mural Museum)
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Mexico City, Mexico
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Mexico City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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A combination of history and tradition in Mexico City permeates all aspects of life, including food. For centuries, food and drink have been an inseparable part of the city's culture. Within Mexico City's bustling historic center, you can find a variety of culinary gems that offer a taste of what we call diverse Mexican cuisine.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Chapultepec Park Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
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One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historic Center Walking Tour
Mexico City is the oldest capital in the Americas and is one of the two founded by indigenous people. Originally known as Mexico Tenochtitlan, the city was built by the Mexicas (aka Aztecs) in 1325. According to a legend, the Mexicas' principal god, Huitzilopochtli, pointed out the site of the future settlement with an image of a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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