No, you haven’t entered an unknown dimension, just the dimension of a very capricious Diego Rivera (1886-1957), the famous Mexican muralist who constructed this marvelous architectural anomaly inspired by pre-hispanic structures. Even so, the ancient Mayas and Aztecs would probably think it looks about as Mayan and Aztec as Disneyland.
Built entirely out of volcanic rock, its windows are covered in alabaster and it has more nooks and stairs inside than any temple of a diabolic Mesoamerican deity that you’d see in an El Santo film. For all of those reasons, it’s a great place to visit. Despite behind surrounded by the city, it’s located practically far from everything and getting there in itself is a bit of an odyssey.
Designed by Rivera with some advice from famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the building was finished posthumously, and opened in 1964. The Anahuacalli (which in Náhuatl means house of Anáhuac, itself meaning: near water) contains more than 50,000 of the painter’s pre-Columbian artifacts, as well as his own work and sketches.
Shows, concerts, exhibitions and performances on the grounds are relatively common. The southern view of the city from the museum’s terrace is magnificent.
Fridabús
Take advantage of the transport service between this space and Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul Museum for $100 pesos. The price includes entrance to both museums.