Photo courtesy of Wikipedia commons
The first National Theater of Mexico was built in the late 19th century, but it was soon decided to tear this down in favor of a more opulent building in time for Centennial of the Mexican War of Independence in 1910. This new building became the Bellas Artes.
The initial design and construction was undertaken by Italian architect Adamo Boari in 1904, but complications arising from the soft subsoil and the political problem both before and during the Mexican Revolution, hindered then stopped construction completely by 1913. Construction began again in 1932 under Mexican architect Federico Mariscal and was completed in 1934.
Because of this time delay the exterior of the building is primarily Neoclassical and Art Nouveau while the interior is Art Deco. The building has murals by Diego Rivera, Siqueiros and others.
The main exterior facade is made of white Italian Carrara marble and the interior is also surfaced in Carrara marble but in dramatic red and black. Below the Deco ticket booth
Below- El hombre controlador del universo (Man, controller of the universe- by Diego Rivera was originally commissioned for New York’s Rockefeller Center in 1933. The Rockefellers were not happy with the painting and the incomplete work was eventually destroyed and painted over. Rivera recreated it here in 1934.
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Across the street from the Bellas Artes is the Palacio Postal.
A true “Palace” It was started in 1902 and completed in 1907. Its design and construction was most modern for the time.It has a steel frame and a foundation built on a grid of steel beams (shipped from the U.S) which has withstood a number of earthquakes and subsidence. The bronze window frames and staircase were made in Florence.
Below-Outside was pretty good above average blues band playing on the street.
Below- Glimpses into doorways.
Another great atmospheric restaurant nearby is The Cafe Tacuba .
Above-This painting called The Story of Mole– (I think) hangs in the entry area.
Above– This painting called “La Boda” (The Wedding) by Enrique Urbina hangs at the top of the stairs.
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Below some miscellaneous images from the Central area.
Below-At the end of the day we could return to the Polanco neighborhood where we stayed. An upscale area with mostly high rise apartments but only a short walk from the museums of Chapultapec Park.
Below a walking area in Polanco.
Below-The street names are all writers, poets and philosophers.
