MEXICO – Mexico city – cultural

Link to the previous page        Mexico city – first impressions        

Mexico city – Palacia Postal 02.09.2026

By chance, we also ended up at the Postal Museum, which we hadn’t expected much from, and were completely taken by surprise.
Construction of the Palacio Postal began in 1902 under the supervision of an Italian architect, and it opened in 1907.  In the 1950s, a large part of the building was occupied by the Bank of Mexico, and many structural alterations were carried out.  In the process, many of the original decorative features were destroyed.  The building was severely damaged in the 1985 earthquake.  The bank moved into its own premises.  In 1990, work began on restoring the old building to its original condition.

The upper floor now houses the Naval History Museum, whilst the ground floor still operates as a normal post office in the old counter areas.

And then, quite early in the morning, we took the bus for a two-hour journey to Teotihuacan, one of Mexico’s oldest and largest archaeological sites. This time we went by bus with a guide, which was just as well, as we would otherwise have got completely lost in the vast complex.
The city, covering an area of around 20 km², has been inhabited since the 6th century BC.  At that time, with a population estimated at 100,000, it was the largest city on the American continent and one of the largest in the world.  Following a devastating fire around 550 AD,  the city was almost deserted by 600.  In the 14th century, the partly ruined city was also used as a religious site.  Targeted excavations have been taking place since 1900.  The Pyramid of the Sun, located there, stands 65 metres high and measures 222 by 225 metres, making it the third-largest pyramid in the world.  Unfortunately, it is no longer permitted to climb it.

The Pyramid of the Moon was built around 600 AD – some 100 years after the Pyramid of the Sun – and is 43 metres high.
The many residential buildings, some of which are quite spacious, are still clearly visible.

And then came the highlight of my trip: the Frida Kahlo Museum, where I learnt quite a few things I hadn’t known or even imagined. She was certainly an admirable woman, whose self-portrait recently fetched the highest price ever paid for a painting by a female artist.
Frida Kahlo was born in Mexico City in 1907 and is regarded as Mexico’s most famous painter.  Polio at the age of six and a serious bus accident in 1925 severely restricted her mobility and took a heavy toll on her health.  She was married to Diego Rivera, who was famous for his monumental murals.  She died in July 1954 following an illness.

Inspired by this fascinating museum, we also became aware of the Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli. So we planned a visit there too; the cloudy weather gave us an extra incentive to do so. Rivera had originally designed it as a home for Frida Kahlo and himself. However, the building was not opened until 1964, seven years after his death. On display in the building, with its very distinctive pre-Columbian pyramid architecture, are primarily the pre-Columbian artefacts he collected during his lifetime. With absolutely no idea what to expect, it turned out to be a very interesting and unusual experience.

On Sunday, we treated ourselves to a wonderful, masterfully performed and enchanting folklore show at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. On Sundays, there is a performance at 6 pm instead of 8 pm.
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is a large 19th-century building which houses a major exhibition of paintings (street art), an architecture museum, smaller temporary exhibitions, various rooms for smaller concerts, and the Grand Theatre of the Fine Arts, the main building.
Construction began as early as 1904 under the Italian architect A. Boari. Due to the marshy ground, there were major problems during construction. The architect left Mexico because of the Mexican Revolution, meaning that the building could not be opened until 1934, under new management and based on Boari’s plans. The façade is made of white marble and the interior is fitted with marble in various colours.

Here, to provide some inspiration and a practical incentive, is a small selection of the diverse range of nostalgic doors in Mexico City, along with a glimpse into the city’s colourful and bustling life.   ...-G)

Translated with DeepL.com