Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) is a prominent cultural center in Mexico City. This hosts performing arts events, literature events and plastic arts galleries and exhibitions (including important permanent Mexican murals). "Bellas Artes" for short, has been called the "art cathedral of Mexico", and is located on the western side of the historic center of Mexico City which is close to the Alameda Central park.

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Palace of Fine Arts
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Front view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes
General information
Architectural style	Art Nouveau / Neoclassical (exterior) Art Deco (interior)
Location	Mexico City, Mexico
Coordinates	19°26′8.3″N 99°8′28.6″W
Construction started	1 Oct 1904
Inaugurated	1934
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Adamo Boari, Federico Mariscal, Géza Maróti, Agustí Querol Subirats, Edgar Brandt among others[1]
Other information
Seating capacity	1,590

Bellas Artes replaced the original National Theater, built in the late 19th century. The latter was demolished as part of urban redesign in Mexico City, and a more opulent building was planned to celebrate the centennial of the Mexican War of Independence in 1910. The initial design and construction was undertaken by Italian architect Adamo Boari in 1904, but complications arising from the soft subsoil and the political problem both before and during the Mexican Revolution, hindered then stopped construction completely by 1913. Construction resumed in 1932 under Mexican architect Federico Mariscal [es] and was completed in 1934. It was then inaugurated on November 29, 1934.

The exterior of the building is primarily Art Nouveau and Neoclassical and the interior is primarily Art Deco. The building is best known for its murals by González Camarena, Diego Rivera, Siqueiros and others, as well as the many exhibitions and theatrical performances it hosts, including the Ballet Folklórico de México.[2]