The Museo de la Ciudad de México occupies a grand 18th-century palace in Centro, rebuilt in 1778 as a home for the counts of Santiago y Calimaya. Its 26 exhibit rooms trace Mexico City's story from the Aztec period to today, using furniture, art, clothing and books. Courtyards run through the building, and rotating temporary shows often focus on contemporary art and architecture. Come early, join a guided visit if a guide is free, and plan lunch at the on-site restaurant.
A palace with a changing history
The original building on this site was lost, and the current structure dates from 1778, when it was rebuilt as a palatial home for the counts of Santiago y Calimaya. The land had once belonged to Juan Gutiérrez de Altamirano, a son of Hernán Cortés.
By the early 20th century the large building had been divided into small, modest apartments. One of them was home to the painter Joaquín Clausell, who lived there after arriving in Mexico City to study law. The rooms and courtyards still show how the palace was once arranged for a large household.
What the 26 rooms cover
The permanent displays use furnishings, art, clothing and books to show how the city changed. The oldest material relates to the Aztec civilization, and the newest pieces come from the present day.
The museum also holds a fine collection of maps and pictographic representations of Tenochtitlan, which help you picture the city before the Spanish arrived. Read the room labels in order to follow the sequence from the earliest rooms to the modern ones.
Courtyards, the model workshop and temporary shows
Courtyards open off the building in several places, so you move between indoor galleries and open air as you walk through. Visitors can also see the model workshop, where intricate miniatures of the city are built, and staff can show photos of the finished layouts.
The temporary exhibitions are the part of the museum that changes most. They have covered contemporary art and architecture, and one photography show in recent visits was a single room. Check the current programme before you go if a particular exhibition is your reason for the visit.
Guided visits and lunch
Staff and curators can give short tours, and visitors who have joined them describe detailed storytelling about the history of the city. Ask at the ticket desk whether someone is free before you start, since availability depends on the day.
The on-site restaurant suits a break in the middle of the visit. A dish worth ordering is the coyote emplumado de la India María, which is listed as one of the house specialities you can try after you have walked the rooms.
The museum has a wheelchair accessible entrance, an accessible elevator and an accessible restroom, and it is good for children. The building is closed on Mondays.
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Is there an entry fee?
Yes, the museum charges admission. Tickets are paid in cash only, and entry has been free on Sundays according to recent reports, so check before you go.
Is the museum closed on Mondays?
Yes, the museum is closed on Mondays. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The entrance, elevator, restroom and parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
Is there somewhere to eat inside?
Yes, there is a restaurant on site, and it is a good place for lunch in the middle of a visit.
