Mexico City's skyline is not just a testament to its rich architectural heritage but also a reflection of the stories, myths, and quirks embedded within its structures. From monumental landmarks to lesser-known buildings, each corner of the city holds a fascinating history that goes beyond its facade. In this article, we dive into some of the most intriguing tales that surround CDMX's most iconic buildings, offering a glimpse into the mysteries and cultural significance hidden within their walls.
Monument to the Revolution: What Never Came to Be
Originally, the Monument to the Revolution was intended to be the Federal Legislative Palace. The plans promised a majestic neoclassical building as part of Porfirio Díaz's 1910 proposals to celebrate the centenary of Mexico's independence. The structure was envisioned to rival the grandeur of the Capitol in Washington and the Reichstag in Berlin. However, the project seemed doomed from the start. An international competition was held to choose the best design, but it was fraught with controversy. After a tie for first and second place, the commission was given to the third-placed Pietro Paolo Quaglia. Sadly, Quaglia passed away before the work could begin. It's said that Émile Bénard, a jury member, was then appointed to lead the project and took credit for the structure. Is this myth true?
With a planned 14,700 square meters of construction, the palace would have been the largest legislative structure in the world at the time. Nevertheless, the Mexican Revolution started, and the project was halted, never to be completed. In 1936, architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia repurposed the structure, transforming it into a mausoleum. Did you know that the columns house the remains of figures like Venustiano Carranza, Francisco I. Madero, Plutarco Elías Calles, Francisco Villa, and Lázaro Cárdenas?
Plaza de Toros: Better Safe Than Sorry
Among the curiosities surrounding buildings is the Monumental Plaza de Toros de México, which was built on the site of a former brick factory in the Nochebuena neighborhood. At the time, this area was among the most modern and exclusive in Mexico City's urban development. A particularly curious event during construction was the placement of 120,000 50-kilo sandbags on the seats of the arena. This task was carried out by 1,000 workers to test the structure's resistance. The experiment took place just 10 days before the venue's inauguration on February 5, 1946. Was there doubt about the structure's stability?
Insurgentes 300 Building: A Haunted Past
In its heyday, Insurgentes 300, also known as the Canada Building, was one of the city's most desirable addresses. But following the 1985 earthquake, it became a partially abandoned and haunted site. By 1995, the building gained infamy when magistrate Polo Uscanga was murdered there, cementing its eerie reputation. Today, the building is the subject of stories involving human trafficking, the sale of illegal substances, satanic rituals, and paranormal activity. Do you know of any other buildings with such chilling stories?
National Palace or National Prison?
The National Palace has witnessed some of the most significant events in Mexico's history. Its story dates back to the Spanish conquest, and it was built atop the ruins of the palace of Mexica emperor Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, making it the first structure erected in New Spain in 1526. Given that Spain ruled both Mexico and Peru, the two became viceroyalties, leading to numerous architectural projects. Interestingly, it's said that during the construction of the National Palace, its blueprints were accidentally swapped with those of a prison in Peru. A key piece of evidence supporting this theory is the palace's first floor, which features tall walls and small windows that resemble a fortress. Could this mix-up be the building's canonical origin?
Canine Detail at the Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is an architectural masterpiece brimming with details. Its sculptures, columns, and balconies are adorned with elements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, making it one of Mexico City's most iconic buildings. Among these details is one that only the most curious may have noticed: the head of a dog protruding from one of the walls. But how did it get there? The palace's architect, Adamo Boari, was often accompanied by his loyal dog, Aída, who became part of the daily life of everyone involved in the project. Sadly, Aída passed away before the palace was completed. In her memory, Boari commissioned Beno Gianneti Fiorenzo to create a representation of Aída, which was then incorporated into the building's ornamentation.
Ex-Convent of San Hipólito: Mexico's Psychiatric History
Did you know that the Ex-Convent of San Hipólito (now used for social events) was once the first psychiatric hospital in the Americas? In 1566, Friar Bernardino Álvarez Herrera, founder of the Order of San Hipólito, proposed converting the site in Mexico City's Historic Center into a care facility. The hospital served the poor and elderly, but its primary focus was on those with mental illnesses. Its operations ceased in 1900.
La Castañeda: From Asylum to Apartment Complex
The curiosities surrounding psychiatric buildings don't end there. Porfirio Díaz ordered the construction of La Castañeda in Mixcoac, modeled after the Charenton Asylum in Paris. The complex grew to the size of a small city, comprising 26 buildings. However, after reports of widespread mistreatment, including electroshock therapy, La Castañeda was demolished. Only the facade of the General Services Building was preserved and relocated to Amecameca to serve as part of a country house. Later, the site became home to the multifamily housing complex "Torres de Mixcoac." Residents today claim to hear paranormal sounds.
Torre Latino: A Landmark
In 1956, Mexico City introduced the world's first skyscraper built in a seismic zone: the Torre Latino. The 181-meter tower, weighing 25,000 tons, stands on 631 concrete piles and features a steel structure, which has allowed it to withstand the city's most devastating earthquakes. For this reason, the building is considered a landmark of Mexican architecture, recognized for its innovation.
In the Desert of the Lions: Can Walls Really Hear?
At the Desierto de los Leones convent, the architecture was designed with strict functionality in mind. Built in 1605, the convent adhered to the principles of the Carmelite order, known for its austerity and emphasis on silence. Communication was limited to brief moments without eye contact. To facilitate this, the convent features the Chapel of Secrets, a structure that allows communication through whispers. Monks positioned themselves at opposite ends, facing the walls, and would exchange messages that traveled clearly through the carefully designed walls and ceiling.
Gothic in Mexico? The Chapel of the Helénico Cultural Institute
Mexico's only gothic structure is located at the Helénico Cultural Institute on Avenida Revolución 1500. The chapel was transported from Europe piece by piece, arriving in over 20,000 boxes. After more than 20 years in storage in New York, it was purchased by Mexican art enthusiast Nicolás González Jáuregui, who hoped to reassemble it. However, the chapel arrived incomplete, so it was combined with a Novohispano-style facade and a Talavera fountain from Puebla.
This article is part of a collaboration with Coolhuntermx.
