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Theatre and museum · Cidade do México, Cidade do México
Palacio de Bellas Artes
1934 art theatre and museum with a marble façade, domes, a Tiffany glass curtain, and murals by Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros, and Tamayo.
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 Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes began construction in 1904 by Italian architect Adamo Boari, and was not inaugurated until 1934, after work halted during the Mexican Revolution and due to ground subsidence. The exterior is white marble with art nouveau-style domes; the interior, completed by Federico Mariscal, is art deco.
The second and third floors operate as a museum, with murals by the great names of Mexican muralism: "Man at the Crossroads," which Diego Rivera repainted there in 1934; "The Catharsis" by José Clemente Orozco; "The New Democracy" by David Alfaro Siqueiros; and two panels by Rufino Tamayo. The temporary exhibition rooms host art shows.
The performance hall has a glass curtain made by Tiffany in New York, with nearly a million pieces, depicting the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. The curtain is only visible from inside the theatre, on performance days or scheduled showings. The Ballet Folklórico de México performs there on some nights of the week.
The palace sits next to the Alameda Central, the city's oldest park. Across the avenue, the high vantage points around it offer views of the domes.
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
es":"An hour for the murals; plus the length of any performance.
Best time
During the day for the murals; at night for the Ballet Folklórico. The museum often closes on Mondays; check before going.
How to get there
At the corner of Avenida Juárez and Eje Central. Metro lines 2 and 8, Bellas Artes station. From the Zócalo it's about a 15-minute walk along Madero street.
Tip
Tickets for the Ballet Folklórico often sell out on holidays; buy in advance.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palacio de Bellas Artes
What is there to see at the Palacio de Bellas Artes?
The murals by Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros and Tamayo on the second and third floors, the temporary exhibitions and, during performances, the Tiffany glass curtain in the main hall.
Where can you watch the Ballet Folklórico de México?
At the Palacio de Bellas Artes, on some nights of the week. Tickets are sold at the theater box office and online.
When was the Palacio de Bellas Artes built?
Construction began in 1904 and the palace was inaugurated in 1934, after long pauses caused by the Mexican Revolution and the unstable ground.