Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes (English: Palace of Fine Arts) is the most important cultural institution in Mexico.

The palace is located in the historic center of Mexico City's. The monumental building is considered the highest and most important cultural center of Mexico, which is both theater, dance, music and opera, the visual arts, literature and architecture dedicated. UNESCO declared the building so 1987 Art Monument.

History of the palace

On October 1, 1904 began the construction of the building. The aim was to replace the previously vandalized National Theatre, which was perceived as a relic of colonialism. The Italian architect Adamo Boari was commissioned to the Palacio de Bellas Artes project and it should finish within four years. This deadline was not met but due to some issues. The marshy soil of Mexico caused construction settlement, were added financial difficulties and eventually went Boari due to the Mexican Revolution back to Italy. Using one of over 4000 documents left by the builder in Mexico, construction was commenced again and again in the following years, but could not be completed.

While a more stable social and economic situation, the construction was resumed in 1931 under the leadership of architect Federico Mariscal and was carried out in March 1934 completion. On September 29, 1934, the official inauguration was held by the then President Abelardo L. Rodríguez.

In 1946, when the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura was founded, the Palacio de Bellas Artes has been selected as the permanent seat of the institution. Only in 1994 was the completion of the planned Boari Plaza de Bellas Artes has been initiated ( dt Place of Fine Arts) in front of the palace. In this context, a parking garage was built under the square.

Architectural style and furnishings

Boari united in his plans various styles of his time, with the Art Deco style and neo-classical and pre-Hispanic motifs dominate.

The facade of the palace was made ​​of white, and inside of the building with different colored marble. For this reason, the building has such an immense weight, so that the palace stands a few feet deeper than the surrounding streets.

The works of various famous muralists, such as José Clemente Orozco's murals also, Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiross, decorate the palace walls. Also to be found at the Palace sculptures of André Allar, who are dedicated to the seven muses. Ten ornate iron gates of the building were added at the Italian Alessandro Mazzucotelli in order. The bronze sculpture group, which adorns the top of the main dome, made ​​at the Hungarian Géza Maróti, while the design of the actual domes Roberto Alvarez Espinoza took over in the Art Deco style.

The palace houses several theaters and halls for the production and exhibition of works of art. Noteworthy appears the "Great drama hall " which can accommodate more than 1,900 spectators and a 24 -meter-long stage with a 22 -ton crystal curtain calls his own.

Both the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Theatre Society, the National Opera Company and the National Dance Company will present at the Palacio their performances.

Front view with main entrance

Dome

Museums and halls

  • Museum of the Palace of Fine Arts (Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes)
  • National Architecture Museum (Museo Nacional de Arquitectura )
  • Sala de Espectáculos
  • Sala " Manuel M. Ponce "
  • Sala " Adamo Boari "
  • Numerous other exhibition and performance halls

Well-known artists

Following well-known artists have performed, inter alia, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes:

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