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8 Spots to Discover Mexico City’s Most Impressive Murals

Mexico City Art + Architecture
by Odette Herrera Dec 13, 2016

If you have been to Mexico City, it’s almost certain that you have run into several of its world-renown murals. Muralism has been a big thing in Mexico for almost a century and some of its exponents are also considered to be among the country’s greatest artists. Murals are much more than just aesthetics though, they act as detailed representations of the political and social environment of Mexico throughout its history.

If you’re interested in learning some Mexican history, murals are a great place to start. Most of them are located in historical buildings and museums you probably should be visiting anyway! These are 8 of the most iconic and beautiful murals you’ll find around Mexico City.

Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.

1. Biblioteca Miguel Lerdo de Tejada

 Biblioteca MIGUEL LERDO DE TEJADACiudad de México, MexicoRussian-Mexican painter, Vlady, made the spectacular mural “La Revolución y los elementos” on the walls of the Miguel Lerdo de Tejada Library. Experts say it’s like a Sistine Chapel dedicated to Revolution.

2. Museo Mural Diego Rivera

 Museo Mural Diego RiveraCiudad de México, MexicoThis Diego Rivera mural covers 400 years of Mexican history, from the Colonial era to the Mexican Revolution, showcasing historical events and some of their best known characters.

3. Biblioteca Central UNAM

 Biblioteca Central UNAMCiudad de México, MexicoThe Central Library of UNAM’s campus “Ciudad Universitaria” is well known for the great literary collection that can be found here, but also for its fascinating façade decorated by a mural made with mosaics of colored stones. It was made by architect and artist Juan O’ Gorman and it depicts transcendent moments of the history of Mexico.

4. Mural “Dualidad” at the Museo Nacional de Antropología

 Mural “Dualidad”Ciudad de México, MexicoThis mural painted by Rufino Tamayo represents the struggle of the elements that originate life. On one side the good, the wisdom and the light; and on the other the evil and the darkness. You can admire it at the entrance of the National Museum of Anthropology.

5. Polyforum Siqueiros

 Polyforum SiqueirosCiudad de México, MexicoThis beautiful cultural venue houses a gigantic and amazing mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros, named “La marcha de la humanidad en la Tierra y hacia el cosmos”. In it the artist shaped a metaphor on the struggle of humanity through history and the search of a better society for all.

6. Cárcamo de Dolores

 Cárcamo de DoloresCiudad de México, MexicoThis amazing mural named “El agua, origen de la vida”, was painted inside a water pit and was designed so that it could be admired underwater. It was painted by Diego Rivera and represents the evolution of life. Nowadays the pit has no longer water, but the mural is a work of art worth admiring.

7. Murals in the Palacio de Bellas Artes

 Murales en el Palacio de Bellas ArtesCiudad de México, MexicoThe Palace of Fine Arts houses 12 amazing murals painted by 7 of the most popular Mexican painters: Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, Jorge González Camarena, Manuel Rodríguez Lozano and Roberto Montenegro. If you like Mexican muralism, definitively these are a “must-see”.

8. Murals in the Palacio Nacional

 Murales en Palacio NacionalCiudad de México, MexicoAt National Palace you can admire some amazing murals from renowned and very famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera. “Epopeya del Pueblo Mexicano” painted on one of the main staircases is simply extraordinary.

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