Londres 247, Del Carmen Coyoacán, 04100
Any person who travels to Mexico City and doesn’t visit the house/museum of the great Frida Kahlo will miss the very essence of the Aztec country. Known as Casa Azul (the Blue House), the museum was the residence of Kahlo and her lover, the muralist Diego Rivera. She died there on July 13, 1954, after going through more than thirty-two surgical procedures throughout her entire life. The museum is a unique opportunity to learn about the spaces where she spent her life, the studio where she did most of her work, and also her love nest. In the wonderful house, the visitor feels Frida’s vibrant energy at all times. They can also admire the paintings, souvenirs, photographs and all kinds of objects that once were part of the universe of one of the most emblematic and creative Mexican artists.Kurimanzutto GalleryGobernador Rafael Rebollar 94, Miguel Hidalgo, San Miguel Chapultepec I Secc, 11850
The most bohemian place in town—and one of the most interesting sites—may well be the famous Kurimanzutto Gallery, a mandatory visit for modern art lovers. The gallery emerges was conceived through the efforts of three good friends: the artist Gabriel Orozco, Jose Kuri and his wife Mónica Manzutto, who is an art expert. The building that houses the gallery in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood, is the work of renowned architect Alberto Kalach, who created an ideal space for the artists to show their work. Currently, the Kurimanzutto Gallery represents important contemporary artists from all over the world.
Luis Barragán House and Studio
General Francisco Ramírez 12-14, Colonia Ampliación Daniel Garza, 11840
The talented architect Luis Ramiro Barragan Morfin—born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1902—spent much of his life in Mexico City. He is considered the most influential Mexican architect of the 20th century and the only Mexican to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize—in 1980. His home-studio—created by the artist in 1948—is a clear example of his architectural vision of modernity, which is present in all his projects. In 2004, UNESCO declared the house a World Heritage Site for its successful combination of the different modern architectural trends of the 20th century with precise interpretations of the vernacular. The house, one of the most visited museums in the Mexican capital, is maintained exactly as Luis Barragan left it at the time of his death in 1988. The modernist spirit is present in the different rooms, where natural light plays a crucial role. This visit is the realization of a dream for all architecture aficionados and experts.
As one of the largest cities in Latin America, because of its rich culture and its exciting architectural offerings, Mexico City is a truly compelling tourist destination. ■
