On September 27, 1944, the iconic Castillo de Chapultepec opened its doors as the National Museum of History in Mexico City. This decision by the Mexican federal government was not circumstantial, since the construction on top of the Bosque de Chapultepec has been an important cultural protagonist in Mexico.
However, it is not only a museum for lovers of Mexican history, but also a forum for great artistic and cultural performances.
In addition to its architectural beauty, the castle hides several anecdotes in its beautiful corridors, so I decided to explain everything here so you don't miss any details. Read this text until the end and discover everything this place has to offer.
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What to do at Castillo de Chapultepec?
One of Mexico City's most beautiful icons awaits you with a variety of activities. It is a favorite spot for elementary schools during the week, for runners and cyclists who enjoy heading to the entrance in the morning, and for thousands of tourists who visit it every day.
1 – Visit the National History Museum
One of the best ways to soak up Mexico’s history is to visit the Museo del Castillo de Chapultepec, officially the National Museum of History. In its 12 exhibition halls, the National Museum of History covers everything from the conquest of Tenochtitlan to the Mexican Revolution.
You will be able to observe representative objects, paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and prints from different passages in history. Suffice it to say that the museum's heritage is close to 100.000 pieces and continues to grow. Some of these pieces are exhibited to the public and others are protected for study.
In fact, all of these pieces have been classified as paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and printing, numismatics, historical documents and flags, technology and weapons, clothing and accessories, furniture and household items. In addition, in the 22 rooms in the area called the Castle, you can get an idea of how the emperors Maximilian and Carlota lived, and later, the former president Porfirio Díaz.
In its temporary exhibition rooms, the museum presents specific passages from history and includes multimedia content to complement the visit. It is recommended to request a guided tour to get to know the museum and better understand the history of Mexico. Due to the large number of visitors to the museum, an introductory lecture is only offered on Fridays for groups of up to 40 people.
2 – Visit the library and photo library
Your visit to Castillo de Chapultepec is not limited to visiting the National Museum of History; you can also enjoy the library and photo library, located in the building next to the castle. Among its collection, you will find books and monographs specialized in the history and art of Mexico, collections of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Brochures, magazines, specialist bulletins on art, history and archaeology, and classic encyclopedias are also part of the museum’s collection. And don’t forget to stop by the Photo Library, where you can see the objects the museum has in its custody. They can also show you old photos and images from previous traveling exhibitions.
It is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 16:30pm.
3 – Spend the day observing the murals of Castillo de Chapultepec
Work by José Clemente Orozco
Mexico has many great painters who have made history, and at Chapultepec Castle you can admire the work of many of them. The opportunity to see works by great artists such as David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco and Juan O'Gorman is unique, so make the most of your visit.
Two murals are in the Madero Room, one in the Siglo XX Video Room, one on the main staircase, another in the Siqueiros Room and the last one on the dome of the main entrance. Dedicated to various periods in Mexican history, such as the Conquest, Independence, Reform, Porfiriato, Revolution, Constitution of 1917 and American intervention, each one is impressive and deserves to be seen at a leisurely pace.
4 – Participate in artistic and cultural events
The Castillo de Chapultepec’s events calendar is full of true works of art most of the year. You can enjoy ballet performances such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake or the Ballet Folklórico de México.
In addition to concerts by the National Symphony Orchestra, the Fine Arts Opera or historical and children's plays, don't forget to check out other activities, such as conferences, workshops for all ages, book presentations or piano recitals.
Check the section Website agenda for all the details.
5 – Admire the beautiful stained glass windows
The famous stained glass windows of the Castillo de Chapultepec are found in this beautiful gallery that reflects an important part of 1900th century European art. These stained glass windows were made in Paris by order of Don Porfirio Díaz in XNUMX.
They are distinguished by showing the figures of 5 goddesses who in mythology represent feminine attributes such as agriculture, beauty, youth, fertility and love.
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What is the history of Castillo de Chapultepec?
The Castillo de Chapultepec began to be built in 1785 during the government of the Viceroy of New Spain, Bernardo de Gálvez. Originally, it was to be a retirement home, but fate gave it several functions, such as a military college, the imperial residence of Maximilian of Habsburg and Charlotte between 1864 and 1867 and later, as a presidential residence.
Thus, the historical stages of Castillo de Chapultepec can be divided into the Virreynal, Military College, Empire, Porfiriato and 1550th Century. It is said that around XNUMX, when the second viceroy of New Spain ruled, Don Luis de Velasco built a recreational mansion on one of the slopes of Chapultepec Hill.
There, visitors who had recently arrived from Spain would spend their holidays while settling in the capital. But over time, the building was abandoned and destroyed. Thus, by order of Viceroy Matías de Gálvez, a new palace was built on the top of the hill in 1785, which at that time was not part of the metropolitan area.
But the project did not prosper and they paused and even put it up for auction, but it was not enough for anyone, until the City of Mexico City acquired it in 1806.
From abandoned building to castle of Emperors
It was in 1833 when the abandoned Chapultepec Palace became the headquarters of the Military College from 1841, adding a tower or “High Knight” to the construction, to give it the appearance of a fortress. And so, in 1859, it became the presidential residence of Miguel Miramón, who built rooms on the second floor of the Castle and on the southern railing.
And during the Mexican-American War between 1846 and 1848, the U.S. Army bombarded the castle on September 12–13, 1847, and raised the American flag on its walls as a sign of victory. However, the cadets who were inside the castle were few in number, so they died defending it during what is known as the Battle of Chapultepec.
Primary school textbooks mention 6 young people and classify them as Niños Héroes, but there are historians who mention that there were more inside the castle and that Juan Escutia slipped with the flag, who knows?
It was during the Empire that Chapultepec Castle became the residence of Emperors Maximilian of Habsburg and Charlotte of Belgium. Both walked peacefully through its corridors between 1864 and 1867, during the Second French Intervention.
They also loved to watch the sunrise facing east, when it was still possible to clearly see Lake Texcoco and the Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanoes. For this reason, today you can see a panoramic terrace in front of what would have been their rooms.
Don Porfirio's Time
It was in 1878 that the first National Astronomical Observatory was established in the Castillo de Chapultepec, installing specialized equipment, new rooms and two guard posts. But in 1883, they moved the observatory to the town of Tacubaya, so that the castle became, once again, a Military College and, incidentally, the summer home of Don Porfirio Díaz.
So Don Porfirio wired the house and installed beautiful stained glass windows, elevators from the base of the hill (they would have left them there), and a bowling alley. Sidewalks and streams were also laid out, and a botanical garden, an artificial lake, and a kiosk were installed, all of which are beautiful.
Chapultepec Castle in the 20th Century
It was around 1916 when President Venustiano Carranza ordered the demolition of the building southwest of the Military College, so that the castle would be more visible since the federal government offices and the presidential residence were installed there until the term of Abelardo Rodríguez in 1934.
And in 1939, President Lázaro Cárdenas ordered the installation of the National History Museum in the Castillo de Chapultepec, a site declared a national heritage site, but it was only opened in 1944 by President Miguel Ávila Camacho.
What is the history of the National History Museum?
In 1825, Mexico's first president, Guadalupe Victoria, ordered the formation of the first National Museum, but it was not until 1865 that Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg decreed the creation of the Public Museum of Natural History, Archaeology and History in the former mint. In 1910, the natural history collections were separated and the Natural History Museum was opened on Calle de Chopo.
But in 1939, President Lázaro Cárdenas wisely decided that the National Museum of History should be in the Castillo de Chapultepec, and for five years it adapted and changed its current heritage until it was inaugurated on September 27, 1944.
How to get to Castillo de Chapultepec?
Chapultepec Castle is located at the highest point of the first section of the Chapultepec Forest. The classic way to get there is to take the Chapultepec train and walk down, although some people go up and don't complain.
The first section of the forest can be reached from Chapultepec station on metro line 1 (or pink line). Or from Paseo de la Reforma, at the entrance to Los Leóns.
Cost and opening hours of Castillo de Chapultepec
Chapultepec Castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 17 pm. Admission costs 75 pesos (approximately 18 reais) and on Sundays admission is free for national and foreign visitors residing in Mexico. During the week, admission is free for children under 13 and over 60, as well as for teachers and students with valid credentials, retirees and people with reduced mobility.
By the way, the museum offers a wheelchair loan service, as well as having ramps and accessible spaces. Request the service in advance by emailing difusion.mnh@inah.gob.mx.
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