Palacio de Bellas Artes
베야스 아르테스 궁전
The Palacio de Bellas Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, is a major cultural centre in Mexico City. It hosts concerts, dance, theatre, literature events and art exhibitions, and it holds important Mexican murals. People call it the "art cathedral of Mexico."
See it on the 3D globe →At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Location
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Built
- 1934
- Height
- 53 m
- Type
- Theatre
Quick answers
Where is Palacio de Bellas Artes?
Palacio de Bellas Artes is in Mexico City, Mexico.
When was Palacio de Bellas Artes built?
Palacio de Bellas Artes was built in 1934.
How tall is Palacio de Bellas Artes?
Palacio de Bellas Artes is about 53 m tall.
A marble cultural palace with Art Nouveau outside and Art Deco inside, home to famous Mexican murals.
It stands on the western side of the historic centre, near Alameda Central park. The outside is mostly Art Nouveau and Neoclassical, while the inside is mostly Art Deco, because building took so long that styles changed. It replaced the older National Theatre, which was torn down in a plan to redesign the city, and it is counted among the most beautiful buildings in Mexico City.
Thirty years to build
The Italian architect Adamo Boari started the palace in 1904 to replace an old National Theatre, planning it for the 1910 centennial of Mexican independence. But the soft ground under the city and the Mexican Revolution slowed work, and it stopped completely by 1913. Mexican architect Federico Mariscal resumed building in 1932, and the palace opened on 29 November 1934.
Murals and music
The palace is best known for its murals by artists such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and González Camarena. It is also home to the Ballet Folklórico de México. The exterior is covered in Italian marble and the dome is decorated with tiles. The glass mosaic stage curtain represents the valley of Mexico and its volcanoes. The highest spire is topped by an eagle sculpture.
Fun facts
- Work began in 1904 but only finished in 1934.
- The building is nicknamed the "art cathedral of Mexico."
- The site once held the Convent of Santa Isabel, built in 1680.
On the globe
The model shows the marble palace with its domes, Art Nouveau outside and Art Deco inside.
Quiz time
Which is taller: Palacio de Bellas Artes or Torre Latinoamericana?
Show the answer
Torre Latinoamericana. (53 m vs 182 m) Torre Latinoamericana →
Nearby on the globe
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14