Museo de Arte Popular (Popular Art Museum), Mexico City
The Popular Art Museum (Museo de Arte Popular) situated in the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center, finds its home in a former firehouse that boasts an elegant Art Deco design. Originally crafted by architect Vincente Mediola, this building once served as a bustling hub for fire service, with a central hall accommodating fire engines and three floors housing offices and residences. The exterior showcases an impressive stone facade adorned with ancient Aztec reliefs, each artfully embellished with motifs. A significant addition is the tower, equipped with a signal light, standing at the nearby intersection, ready to respond to emergencies.
Donated by the government of Mexico City, this historic building was entrusted to Teodoro Gonzales de Leon for restoration, transforming it into a sanctuary for Mexican folk arts and handicrafts. Within its walls now thrives a repository of cultural traditions, dedicated not only to promoting these cherished art forms but also to their preservation. The museum actively engages in nurturing the craft's continuity through workshops where young minds learn to create traditional crafts, ensuring that the heritage endures for generations to come.
Since its inauguration in 2006, the Museo de Arte Popular has amassed an extensive collection of precious treasures, including textiles, pottery, glass handicrafts, piñatas, and enchanting figures known as alebrijes, which depict fantastical creatures. Among its annual highlights is the vibrant "Noche de Alebrijes" parade, proudly sponsored by the museum, where the grand alebrijes take to the streets, while their creators eagerly compete for esteemed prizes. This celebration serves as a testament to the boundless creativity and spirit that embodies the heart of Mexican folk art.
Why You Should Visit:
When you enter this museum, you feel immediately energized by the colors and gorgeous displays of fantastic art! Small and very do-able to walk through and see everything in under 2 hours. The gift shop has tons of crafts from all over the country and many potential fun buys!
Tip:
Make sure to start your visit on the top floor and work your way down.
Donated by the government of Mexico City, this historic building was entrusted to Teodoro Gonzales de Leon for restoration, transforming it into a sanctuary for Mexican folk arts and handicrafts. Within its walls now thrives a repository of cultural traditions, dedicated not only to promoting these cherished art forms but also to their preservation. The museum actively engages in nurturing the craft's continuity through workshops where young minds learn to create traditional crafts, ensuring that the heritage endures for generations to come.
Since its inauguration in 2006, the Museo de Arte Popular has amassed an extensive collection of precious treasures, including textiles, pottery, glass handicrafts, piñatas, and enchanting figures known as alebrijes, which depict fantastical creatures. Among its annual highlights is the vibrant "Noche de Alebrijes" parade, proudly sponsored by the museum, where the grand alebrijes take to the streets, while their creators eagerly compete for esteemed prizes. This celebration serves as a testament to the boundless creativity and spirit that embodies the heart of Mexican folk art.
Why You Should Visit:
When you enter this museum, you feel immediately energized by the colors and gorgeous displays of fantastic art! Small and very do-able to walk through and see everything in under 2 hours. The gift shop has tons of crafts from all over the country and many potential fun buys!
Tip:
Make sure to start your visit on the top floor and work your way down.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Mexico City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Museo de Arte Popular (Popular Art Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Museo de Arte Popular (Popular Art Museum)
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Mexico City, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Mexico City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Mexico City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zona Rosa Walking Tour
Zona Rosa, or "Pink Zone" in English, is a vibrant neighborhood near the historic center of the Mexican capital which is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural scene. The neighborhood's name comes from the pink-colored tiles abundantly used to pave the local streets.
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Chapultepec Park Walking Tour
Nicknamed "the Lungs of Mexico City", Chapultepec Park is a vast oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the Mexican capital, sprawling over 686 hectares of land, providing a vital source of oxygen for the city. Rich in natural beauty, historical landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere, throughout centuries, this park has inspired various works of literature, poetry, and visual art, further... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Coyoacan District Walking Tour
Translated from the Nahuatle language as “The Land of Coyotes”, Coyoacán is a relatively quiet neighborhood in the southern part of Mexico City. Formerly a rural village, over the years Coyoacán has become a rich pocket of art and history in the capital, closely associated with some iconic figures of the 20th century and the tumultuous times in which they lived.
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historic Center Food Tour
A combination of history and tradition in Mexico City permeates all aspects of life, including food. For centuries, food and drink have been an inseparable part of the city's culture. Within Mexico City's bustling historic center, you can find a variety of culinary gems that offer a taste of what we call diverse Mexican cuisine.
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Historic Center Walking Tour
Mexico City is the oldest capital in the Americas and is one of the two founded by indigenous people. Originally known as Mexico Tenochtitlan, the city was built by the Mexicas (aka Aztecs) in 1325. According to a legend, the Mexicas' principal god, Huitzilopochtli, pointed out the site of the future settlement with an image of a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 17 Must-Buy Local Products from Mexico City
Both historic and modern day Mexico's are worth each other in terms of cultural and artistic heritage. The country's capital Mexico City is a showroom of what the label "Made in Mexico" stands for in its entirety. Whether it's authentic food, drink or piece of craftsmanship...
10 Must-Try Mexican Foods in Mexico City
While Mexico is a treasure trove in terms of cultural and artistic heritage (ancient history, architecture, etc.), the vast majority of visitors to the country are lured mainly by, let's face it, bodily pleasures. The latter are manifested in the form of sandy beaches, sun and, most...