Downtown Mexico’s Library

In Architecture & Design by Isabella Moreno

This week, the dissemination of activities that can be living in Mexico City will continue. A great part of the charm of the culture of this country and cities lies in the history of its architecture. It is a fact that much has been destroyed but another very big part has been protected, cared for and remodeled, building part of the history of each city. In this case we will talk about the Library of Mexico, located in the historic downtown Mexico City. In this area, there is a huge quantity of buildings from different eras, from the Azteca until the contemporary. It is a fascinating space and is the spot where the initial city began.

This library was founded on November 27, 1946 by the President Manuel Avila Camacho, who was accompanied by Jaime Torres Bodet and the Secretary of Public Education, and Jose Vasconcelos who was the first education director and who held office until his death in 1959. This space has always been inhabited by students, as any library that houses all the knowledge in the pages of the books that it forms. This is why the library has spaces referred to as “The City of the books” and spaces to offer different reading workshops for children to adults.

The building was built at the end of the XVII century and is a relic and gem that form part of Mexico City. The original use of this space was the “Royal Tobacco Factory of New Spain.” It was then used as a prison policy for the insurgent Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavón, and was then the General Park of artillery, a space to hold the ammunition and house the state coup of 1913. The library of Mexico offers much more than just reading, however. It offers an atmosphere of history and culture that overflows in every corner of its magnificent architecture. Guided tours with reservation are offered.

 

Share this article