Maximum forum of art and culture in Mexico, the Palace of Fine Arts surprises Mexicans and foreigners alike with its ostentatious architecture, in which two styles come together in a harmonious and elegant fashion: the Art Nouveau of its exterior with the Art Deco of its interior.

The construction of the Palace of Fine Arts began in 1904 with a proposal by the Italian architect Adamo Boari to create a new national theatre that would take part in the celebrations of the 100^th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence. This proposal was promoted by President Porfirio Díaz who had brought to the city some of its most remarkable monuments like the Angel of Independence and the Hemicycle to Juárez. The new National Theatre was conceived to be one of the largest in the world and expected to be in the same league as important forums like the Opera of Paris. Nevertheless, the project was postponed by the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, leaving behind an eclectic dream built in Carrara marble and the magnificent crystal curtain designed by the prestigious firm Tiffany’s, which serves as a background for the presentations of diverse national and international orchestras who visit the palace.

Years later, during the government of President Pascual Ortíz Rubio, it was decided the construction of the building should be resumed, and the project was given to the Mexican architect Federico Mariscal, author of other architectonic jewels of the Art Deco style in Mexico, like the ‘La Nacional’ building. This architect had the difficult task of reconciling the Art Nouveau of the exterior with the architectonic styles of the time, achieving a wonderful integration between both and creating one of the most outstanding Art Deco interiors in the world, with the use of lamps and details which were inspired in Mexico’s indigenous past. The interior walls were decorated with works by the most outstanding Mexican muralists of the time like Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, Juan O’Gorman and Rufino Tamayo, among others.

In this magnificent building a great number of artistic and cultural activities take place; from painting, sculpture and architecture exhibitions, to its famous opera presentations and classical music concerts, as well as classic ballet and the folkloric ballet of Amalia Hernández. The plaza located outside the main entrance deserves a special mention; in it, the famous ‘Pegaso’ sculptures can be appreciated contrasting with the modern beauty of the neighboring Latin-American Tower.