National Art Museum, Mexico City

The former Communications Palace, which once served as Mexico City's main post office, has been transformed into the National Art Museum. Designed and supervised by the architect Silvio Contri between 1905 and 1911, the building was originally constructed during the regime of Porfirio Diaz, a former military dictator of Mexico. Its architectural style is an eclectic blend of Renaissance and neoclassical influences, featuring Corinthian columns, an ornate iron staircase crafted by the Florentine firm Pignone, and a beautifully adorned ceiling with an allegorical painting symbolizing peace.

Today, the National Art Museum boasts an extensive collection of artwork spanning from the 16th-century to the 20th-century works of Mexican artists. With over 3000 pieces, the museum showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics. Among the prominent Mexican artists represented in the collection are Juan Correa, Miguel Cabrera, Eugenio Landesio, and a considerable assortment of landscapes by Jose Maria Velasco.

The museum's permanent collection is thoughtfully organized to provide visitors with a panoramic view of Mexico's fine arts development from the early colonial period to the mid-twentieth century. The artwork is grouped into three periods: The first period (Assimilation of the West) covers the colonial era from 1550 to 1821. The second period (Construction of a Nation) explores the first century after Independence. The last period (Strategies for the fine arts in modern Mexico) covers the time after the Mexican Revolution when questions of modernity and nationalism took center stage.

Why You Should Visit:
The permanent collections are vast, and when you add the temporary ones, plus the live concerts, guided tours and the other smaller Telegraph Museum inside, it would be easy to spend a day here.

Tip:
Excellent place to bring groups and kids, as it offers workshops all year round and during the summer – for all ages.