Anahuacalli Museum

The Anahuacalli Museum is a true gem in Mexico City, conceived entirely by Diego Rivera as a sanctuary where pre-Hispanic art, architecture, music, theater, dance, and nature come together in harmony.

Rivera began the project in 1933 with the vision of creating a genuine City of the Arts. Designed in collaboration with Juan O’Gorman, the museum was built using volcanic stone from the Pedregal de San Ángel, the result of the eruption of the Xitle volcano. Its form draws inspiration from ancient teocallis — a Nahuatl word meaning “house of energy” — and incorporates indigenous elements both in its structure and finishes. Surrounding native plants from the Pedregal reinforce the connection between art and nature, a principle Rivera refined after consulting Frank Lloyd Wright, whose philosophy of blending architecture with the landscape he deeply admired.

The museum was one of Rivera’s greatest passions, to which he devoted much of his time and fortune. Although he passed away before its completion, Dolores Olmedo and Ruth Rivera Marín, his daughter, continued the project until its opening in 1964, more than three decades after its conception.

Shaped like a “U,” the Anahuacalli houses 23 exhibition rooms containing around 2,000 pieces from Rivera’s personal collection, mainly from Olmec, Toltec, Nahua, Zapotec, and Teotihuacan cultures. The ceilings, decorated with mosaics designed by Rivera and O’Gorman, merge ancient symbolism with a modern aesthetic. From the rooftop, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the city and the Xitle volcano.

The museum offers guided tours lasting between 30 and 45 minutes — the first at 11:00 a.m. and the last at 5:00 p.m. — as well as children’s workshops that encourage creativity through various art forms. It also offers classes in guitar, dance, singing, and acting, among others.

Admission is free for children under six, people with disabilities, and local residents. Students, teachers, and seniors receive discounts, while the general admission fee for international visitors is 80 pesos. A special permit is required for interior photography.

Located about a 15-minute walk from the Xotepingo and Nezahualpilli light rail stations, the Anahuacalli Museum stands as a living testament to Diego Rivera’s artistic vision and remains one of Mexico City’s most fascinating cultural spaces.