National Architecture Museum at Bellas Artes

__

The Museo Nacional de Arquitectura (National Museum of Architecture) is in the top floor of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Exhibitions generally focus on the most renowned Mexican architects. They often include models, drafts of designs, and photographs of major works.

The museum is especially important for the curation and direction of temporary exhibitions which travel to other museums all over the country. The museum is divided into four sections, and finishes with sections devoted to the old National Theater and its replacement, the Palacio itself. There’s also an emphasis on historical architectural preservation. The museum also works to educate the public as to the value of works, projects, buildings, and areas of Mexico City, and many other cities and areas of the country.

Temporary exhibits within the Palacio tend to focus on 2oth century and contemporary architecture. There is also some focus on urbanism and city planning down to the neighborhood and street level. The collection includes architectural drawings, models and maquettes, paintings, photographs, original drawings and sketches, and many of these have been digitized.

The National Architecture Museum is often visited at the same time as the museum of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It’s also very close to the Postal Palace, and points on Avenida Hidalgo. Among them are the National Printmaking Museum, and the Franz Mayer Museum of Decorative Arts.  Special events are posted on the museum’s Facebook page.

Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.