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Campus and architecture · Cidade do México, Cidade do México
Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM)
The central campus of the National University, from the 1950s, a World Heritage Site since 2007, with Juan O'Gorman’s mosaic on the Central Library and murals by Siqueiros.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM)
Ciudad Universitaria is the central campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), inaugurated in 1952 on the Pedregal lava field in the south of the city. The complex, planned by dozens of architects and artists, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as an example of modern architecture integrated with art.
The Central Library by Juan O'Gorman is the best-known building: the four windowless facades are covered with a mosaic of natural stones in different colors, collected from various states of the country, covering about 4,000 square meters. Each face depicts an era of Mexico’s history, from the pre-Hispanic to the modern.
Next to it are the Rectorate Tower, with reliefs and murals by David Alfaro Siqueiros, and the large esplanade called Las Islas. Across Avenida Insurgentes, the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, host of the 1968 Games, has a stone relief on its facade by Diego Rivera.
The campus is open and visited on foot. Further south, the Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) and the Espacio Escultórico, a concrete circle on the lava, complete the visit.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours for the central campus and the stadium.
Best time
On weekdays during the day. During term time there is more activity; the campus is open to the public.
How to get there
Metro line 3, Copilco or Universidad stations, or Metrobus line 1 along Avenida Insurgentes, stop Centro Cultural Universitario or Ciudad Universitaria.
Tip
See the Central Library from a distance, from the Las Islas esplanade, to view the full mosaic.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM)
Why is the UNAM Ciudad Universitaria a World Heritage Site?
For the ensemble of 1950s modern architecture integrated with art, with works by Juan O'Gorman, Siqueiros and Diego Rivera. UNESCO inscribed the central campus in 2007.
What is the mosaic of the UNAM Central Library?
It is the cladding of the four facades, by Juan O'Gorman, made with natural stones of various colors gathered across the country. Each face represents an era of Mexico's history.
Can a tourist enter Ciudad Universitaria?
Yes. The campus is open and visited on foot. Some buildings, like the library, have restricted internal access.