Located south of the Zócalo in the Historic Center of Mexico City, the Old City Hall Palace was built by order of Hernán Cortés to carry out administrative and justice functions.
Today the building is the main headquarters of the government of Mexico City and also houses the Salón de Cabildos Museum. Since 1987 it has been considered a World Heritage Site and is undoubtedly one of the most lavish spaces in the city center.
Brief tour of the history of the Old City Hall
On June 8, 1692, the building was partially destroyed by a fire caused by a mob of poor Indians, mestizos, and Spaniards, who protested the corn shortage caused by speculators.
Consequently, in 1714, the palace was rebuilt to the taste of the time: with a peninsular baroque, arches and ornaments, and in the end, a neoclassical style. With this renovation, the building took on the form it currently maintains.
Similarly, in the first half of the last century two more floors were added; the third floor, for the celebration of the Centennial of Independence in 1910; and the fourth in 1934, in the government of General Lázaro Cárdenas.
The Salón de Cabildos Museum, jewel of the palace
Located on the first floor, it was decorated by Manuel Gorozpe in the style Art nouveau in 1893 and it is a solemn space, to carry out formal ceremonies, such as the delivery of the keys to Mexico City.
It also has a platform presided over by a portrait of Miguel Hidalgo and 119 finely carved wooden chairs. The ceiling is decorated with a magnificent oil painting, the work of Francisco Parra, also made in 1893.
The work is an allegory of the Homeland that brings together in an open sky, different historical figures of the city, such as Francisco Primo de Verdad and Fray Servando Teresa de Mier.
Finally, to one side is the Hall of Viceroyswith two rooms that in the past housed the council’s archives and today house portraits of the 62 viceroys of New Spain.
Old City Hall
Where
Plaza de la Constitución 2, in the Historic Center of Mexico City, Cuauhtémoc City Hall.
Schedule
Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Museum Nights until 10:00 p.m.
Admission is free and there are guided tours.