Calle Madero (Madero Street), Mexico City

Francisco I. Madero Avenue, commonly known as simply Madero Street (Calle Madero), is a major thoroughfare in the historic center of Mexico City. This was one of the first streets to be laid out by the Spaniards in the 16th century, following the destruction of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán.

The street was originally called San Francisco Street, after the church and monastery here. Later, three sections of it each had their own name. The Western half was called "First and Second Street of San Francisco". The section further East was known as "Profesa street" after the Temple of San Felipe Neri (commonly known as "La Profesa") there, and the section between Isabel la Católica street and the Zócalo was known as "Silversmith's road" (Calle de Plateros) after the silver jewelry workshops and stores established in that area in the 17th century.

The street's current name honors one of the key figures of the Mexican Revolution – Francisco I. Madero, who briefly served as the president of the country before his assassination in 1913. Francisco "Pancho" Villa, the revolution general, who fixed a plaque with the new street name for the first time in 1914, announced that whoever dared to remove it would be shot!

From the very beginning, the street was one of the most popular and busiest roads. The centrality of its location, both geographically and culturally, made it the most desirable destination to live in.

Among the key standouts here are: the 18th-century Palace of Iturbide, the vestige of the brief reign of the self-proclaimed emperor of Mexico, Agustín de Iturbide; the 16th-century Church of San Francisco – once part of the largest convent in New Spain; the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper; and the unmistakably iconic, blue-and-white-tiled House of Tiles.

As of 2009, the street has been pedestrianized. The change proved successful, bringing in crowds of pedestrians, making it a people-watching heaven, and increasing the value of local real estate.

Tip:
For authentic gifts, clothing, and accessories – all made in Mexico, fairly priced, and of adequate quality – check out the hip HAPPENING store at #10C (Open Mon-Fri: 12–8 pm; Sat: 11–8 pm; Sun: 11–6 pm).